16 to tell the time → see time
17 time will tell → see time
▸ tell apart PHRASAL VERB If you can tell people or things apart , you are able to recognize the differences between them and can therefore identify each of them. □ [V n P ] The almost universal use of flavourings makes it hard to tell the products apart.
▸ tell off PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone off , you speak to them angrily or seriously because they have done something wrong. □ [V n P ] He never listened to us when we told him off. □ [be V -ed + for ] I'm always being told off for being so awkward. □ [V P n] Dutch police told off two of the gang, aged 10 and 11.
▸ tell on PHRASAL VERB If you tell on someone, you give information about them to a person in authority, especially if they have done something wrong. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Never mind, I won't tell on you. □ [V n P n] I'll tell my mummy on you. USAGE tell
Don’t use ‘to’ after tell
. Don’t say, for example ‘
He told to me that he was sorry
.’ □
He told
me that he was sorry.
tell|er /te lə r / (tellers ) N‑COUNT A teller is someone who works in a bank and who customers pay money to or get money from. [mainly AM or SCOTTISH ]
tell|ing /te l I ŋ/ (tellings )
1 N‑VAR The telling of a story or of something that has happened is the reporting of it to other people. □ [+ of ] Herbert sat quietly through the telling of this saga.
2 ADJ If something is telling , it shows the true nature of a person or situation. □ How a man shaves may be a telling clue to his age. ● tell|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The house received nearly 300 'customers' a year, as he tellingly called them.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A telling argument or criticism is a very effective one. □ The most telling condemnation of the system was that it failed to fulfil its function.
4 PHRASE You use there's no telling to introduce a statement when you want to say that it is impossible to know what will happen in a situation. □ There's no telling how long the talks could drag on.
te lling-o ff (tellings-off ) also telling off N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you give someone a telling-off , you tell them that you are very angry with them about something they have done. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ for ] I got a severe telling off for not phoning him.
te ll-tale also telltale ADJ [ADJ n] Something that is described as telltale gives away information, often about something bad that would otherwise not be noticed. □ Only occasionally did the telltale redness around his eyes betray the fatigue he was suffering.
tel|ly /te li/ (tellies ) N‑VAR A telly is a television. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ After a hard day's work most people want to relax in front of the telly. in AM, use TV
te|maze|pam /t I mæ z I pæm/ N‑UNCOUNT Temazepam is a drug that is used to make people feel calmer or less anxious.
te|mer|ity /t I me r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N to-inf] If you say that a person has the temerity to do something, you are annoyed about something they have done which you think showed a lack of respect. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …'difficult' patients who have the temerity to challenge their doctors' decisions.
temp /te mp/ (temps , temping , temped )
1 N‑COUNT A temp is a person who is employed by an agency that sends them to work in different offices for short periods of time, for example to replace someone who is ill or on holiday.
2 VERB [only cont] If someone is temping , they are working as a temp. □ [V ] Mrs Reynolds has been temping since losing her job.
tem|per /te mpə r / (tempers , tempering , tempered )
1 N‑VAR If you refer to someone's temper or say that they have a temper , you mean that they become angry very easily. □ He had a temper and could be nasty. □ I hope he can control his temper.
2 N‑VAR [oft adj N , oft in N ] Your temper is the way you are feeling at a particular time. If you are in a good temper , you feel cheerful. If you are in a bad temper , you feel angry and impatient. □ I was in a bad temper last night.
3 VERB To temper something means to make it less extreme. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + with ] For others, especially the young and foolish, the state will temper justice with mercy. □ [V n] He had to learn to temper his enthusiasm.
4 PHRASE If someone is in a temper or gets into a temper , the way that they are behaving shows that they are feeling angry and impatient. □ She was still in a temper when Colin arrived. □ When I try to explain how I feel he just flies into a temper.
5 PHRASE If you lose your temper , you become so angry that you shout at someone or show in some other way that you are no longer in control of yourself. □ I've never seen him get cross or lose his temper.
tem|pera|ment /te mprəmənt/ (temperaments )
1 N‑VAR Your temperament is your basic nature, especially as it is shown in the way that you react to situations or to other people. □ His impulsive temperament regularly got him into difficulties. □ She was furtive and vicious by temperament.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Temperament is the tendency to behave in an uncontrolled, bad-tempered, or unreasonable way. □ Some of the models were given to fits of temperament.
tem|pera|men|tal /te mprəme nt ə l/
1 ADJ If you say that someone is temperamental , you are criticizing them for not being calm or quiet by nature, but having moods that change often and suddenly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He is very temperamental and critical.
2 ADJ If you describe something such as a machine or car as temperamental , you mean that it often does not work properly. □ I first started cruising in yachts with temperamental petrol engines.
tem|pera|men|tal|ly /te mprəme ntəli/ ADV [ADV after v] Temperamentally means because of someone's basic nature or related to someone's basic nature. □ He is a quitter who is temperamentally unsuited to remaining a champion.
tem|per|ance /te mpərəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you believe in temperance , you disapprove of drinking alcohol. □ …a reformed alcoholic extolling the joys of temperance.
2 N‑UNCOUNT A person who shows temperance has a strong mind and does not eat too much, drink too much, or do too much of anything. [FORMAL ] □ The age of hedonism is being ushered out by a new era of temperance.
tem|per|ate /te mpər I t/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Temperate is used to describe a climate or a place which is never extremely hot or extremely cold. □ The Nile Valley keeps a temperate climate throughout the year.
2 ADJ If a person's behaviour is temperate , it is calm and reasonable, so that they do not get angry or lose their temper easily. [FORMAL ] □ His final report to the President was far more temperate and balanced than the earlier memorandum.
tem|pera|ture ◆◇◇ /te mprətʃə r / (temperatures )
1 N‑VAR The temperature of something is a measure of how hot or cold it is. □ The temperature soared to above 100 degrees in the shade. □ Coping with severe drops in temperature can be very difficult.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Your temperature is the temperature of your body. A normal temperature is about 37° centigrade. □ His temperature continued to rise alarmingly.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can use temperature to talk about the feelings and emotions that people have in particular situations. □ There's also been a noticeable rise in the political temperature.
4 PHRASE If something is at room temperature , its temperature is neither hot nor cold. □ Stir the parsley into the potatoes and serve at room temperature.
5 PHRASE If you are running a temperature or if you have a temperature , your temperature is higher than it usually is. □ He began to run an extremely high temperature.
6 PHRASE If you take someone's temperature you use an instrument called a thermometer to measure the temperature of their body in order to see if they are ill. □ He will probably take your child's temperature too. COLLOCATIONS temperature NOUN 1
noun + temperature : air, body, daytime, oven
adjective + temperature : ambient, average; cool, freezing, low, subzero; high, rising, soaring, scorching
verb + temperature : control, lower, raise; brave
tem|pest /te mp I st/ (tempests )
1 N‑COUNT A tempest is a very violent storm. [LITERARY ]
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a situation in which people are very angry or excited as a tempest . [LITERARY ] □ I hadn't foreseen the tempest my request would cause.
3 a tempest in a teapot → see teapot
tem|pes|tu|ous /tempe stʃuəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a relationship or a situation as tempestuous , you mean that very strong and intense emotions, especially anger, are involved. □ For years, the couple's tempestuous relationship made the headlines.
tem|pi /te mpi/ Tempi is a plural of tempo .
tem|plate /te mple I t, [AM ] -pl I t/ (templates )
1 N‑COUNT A template is a thin piece of metal or plastic which is cut into a particular shape. It is used to help you cut wood, paper, metal, or other materials accurately, or to reproduce the same shape many times. □ Trace around your template and transfer the design onto a sheet of card.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If one thing is a template for something else, the second thing is based on the first thing. □ [+ for ] The deal is likely to provide a template for other agreements.
tem|ple ◆◇◇ /te mp ə l/ (temples )
1 N‑COUNT A temple is a building used for the worship of a god or gods, especially in the Buddhist and Hindu religions, and in ancient Greek and Roman times. □ …a small Hindu temple. □ [+ of ] …the Temple of Diana at Ephesus.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your temples are the flat parts on each side of the front part of your head, near your forehead. □ Threads of silver ran through his beard and the hair at his temples.
tem|po /te mpoʊ/ (tempos or tempi )
1 N‑SING The tempo of an event is the speed at which it happens. □ [+ of ] …owing to the slow tempo of change in an overwhelmingly rural country.
2 N‑VAR The tempo of a piece of music is the speed at which it is played. □ In a new recording, the Boston Philharmonic tried the original tempo.
tem|po|ral /te mpərəl/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Temporal powers or matters relate to ordinary institutions and activities rather than to religious or spiritual ones. [FORMAL ] □ …their spiritual and temporal leader.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Temporal means relating to time. [FORMAL ] □ One is also able to see how specific acts are related to a temporal and spatial context.
tem|po|rary ◆◇◇ /te mpərəri, [AM ] -reri/ ADJ Something that is temporary lasts for only a limited time. □ His job here is only temporary. □ …a temporary loss of memory. ● tem|po|rari|ly /te mpəreə r I li/ ADV [ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ The peace agreement has at least temporarily halted the civil war. SYNONYMS temporary ADJ
impermanent: We are reminded just how small and how impermanent we are.
passing: Hamnett does not believe environmental concern is a passing fad.
transitory: Most teenage romances are transitory.
fleeting: The girls caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
ephemeral: These paintings are in some ways a reminder that earthly pleasures are ephemeral.
tem|po|rize /te mpəra I z/ (temporizes , temporizing , temporized ) in BRIT, also use temporise VERB If you say that someone is temporizing , you mean that they keep doing unimportant things in order to delay something important such as making a decision or stating their real opinion. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] They are still temporizing in the face of what can only be described as a disaster. □ [V with quote] 'Not exactly, sir,' temporized Sloan.
tempt /te mpt/ (tempts , tempting , tempted )
1 VERB Something that tempts you attracts you and makes you want it, even though it may be wrong or harmful. □ [V n + into ] Reducing income could tempt an offender into further crime. □ [V n] It is the fresh fruit that tempts me at this time of year. □ [V n + with ] Can I tempt you with a little puff pastry? □ [V n to-inf] The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.
2 VERB If you tempt someone, you offer them something they want in order to encourage them to do what you want them to do. □ [V n prep/adv] …a million dollar marketing campaign to tempt American tourists back to Britain. □ [V n to-inf] Don't let credit tempt you to buy something you can't afford. □ [V n + into ] The bank will offer a current account and try to tempt customers into switching.
3 → see also tempted
4 PHRASE If someone says that something they say or do is tempting fate or is tempting providence , they mean they are worried that it may cause the good luck they have had so far to end. □ As soon as you start to talk about never having played on a losing side, it is tempting fate.
temp|ta|tion /tempte I ʃ ə n/ (temptations ) N‑VAR If you feel you want to do something or have something, even though you know you really should avoid it, you can refer to this feeling as temptation . You can also refer to the thing you want to do or have as a temptation . □ Will they be able to resist the temptation to buy?
tempt|ed /te mpt I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If you say that you are tempted to do something, you mean that you would like to do it. □ I'm very tempted to sell my house.
tempt|ing /te mpt I ŋ/ ADJ If something is tempting , it makes you want to do it or have it. □ In the end, I turned down Raoul's tempting offer of the Palm Beach trip. ● tempt|ing|ly ADV □ The good news is that prices are still temptingly low.
tempt|ress /te mptrəs/ (temptresses ) N‑COUNT If you describe a woman as a temptress , you mean that she uses her female charm to encourage men to have sexual relations with her.
ten ◆◆◆ /te n/ (tens )
1 NUM Ten is the number 10. □ Over the past ten years things have changed.
2 → see also Number Ten
3 ten a penny → see penny
ten|able /te nəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that an argument, point of view, or situation is tenable , you believe that it is reasonable and could be successfully defended against criticism. □ This argument is simply not tenable.
te|na|cious /t I ne I ʃəs/
1 ADJ If you are tenacious , you are very determined and do not give up easily. □ He is regarded at the BBC as a tenacious and persistent interviewer. ● te|na|cious|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ In spite of his illness, he clung tenaciously to his job.
2 ADJ If you describe something such as an idea or belief as tenacious , you mean that it has a strong influence on people and is difficult to change or remove. □ …a remarkably tenacious belief that was to dominate future theories of military strategy.
te|nac|ity /t I næ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If you have tenacity , you are very determined and do not give up easily. □ Talent, hard work and sheer tenacity are all crucial to career success.
ten|an|cy /te nənsi/ (tenancies ) N‑VAR Tenancy is the use that you have of land or property belonging to someone else, for which you pay rent. □ [+ of ] His father took over the tenancy of the farm 40 years ago.
ten|ant /te nənt/ (tenants )
1 N‑COUNT A tenant is someone who pays rent for the place they live in, or for land or buildings that they use.
2 → see also sitting tenant
tench /te ntʃ/ (tench ) N‑VAR Tench are dark green European fish that live in lakes and rivers.
tend ◆◆◇ /te nd/ (tends , tending , tended )
1 VERB If something tends to happen, it usually happens or it often happens. □ [V to-inf] A problem for manufacturers is that lighter cars tend to be noisy.
2 VERB If you tend towards a particular characteristic, you often display that characteristic. □ [V + towards ] Artistic and intellectual people tend towards left-wing views. [Also V + to ]
3 VERB You can say that you tend to think something when you want to give your opinion, but do not want it to seem too forceful or definite. [VAGUENESS ] □ [V to-inf] I tend to think that Members of Parliament by and large do a good job.
4 VERB If you tend someone or something, you do what is necessary to keep them in a good condition or to improve their condition. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] For years he tended her in her painful illness.
5 VERB If you tend to someone or something, you pay attention to them and deal with their problems and needs. □ [V + to ] In our culture, girls are brought up to tend to the needs of others.
ten|den|cy ◆◇◇ /te ndənsi/ (tendencies )
1 N‑COUNT A tendency is a typical or repeated habit, action or belief. □ [+ to ] She has a tendency to glance around to see if there's someone more important to talk to. □ [+ towards ] …the government's tendency towards secrecy in recent years.
2 N‑COUNT A tendency is a part of your character that makes you behave in an unpleasant or worrying way. □ [+ to ] He is spoiled, arrogant and has a tendency towards snobbery. SYNONYMS tendency NOUN 2
inclination: He set out to follow his artistic inclinations.
bent: His bent for natural history directed him towards his first job.
leaning: Many companies are wary of their socialist leanings.
penchant: He had a penchant for playing jokes on people.
propensity: She hasn't reckoned on his propensity for violence.
ten|den|tious /tende nʃəs/ ADJ Something that is tendentious expresses a particular opinion or point of view very strongly, especially one that many people disagree with. [FORMAL ] □ His analysis was rooted in a somewhat tendentious reading of French history.
tender
➊ ADJECTIVE USES
➋ NOUN AND VERB USES
➊ ten|der /te ndə r / (tenderer , tenderest )
1 ADJ Someone or something that is tender expresses gentle and caring feelings. □ Her voice was tender, full of pity. ● ten|der|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Mr. White tenderly embraced his wife. ● ten|der|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ She smiled, politely rather than with tenderness or gratitude.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone does something at a tender age, you mean that they do it when they are still young and have not had much experience. □ He had become attracted to the game at the tender age of seven.
3 ADJ Meat or other food that is tender is easy to cut or chew. □ Cook for a minimum of 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
4 ADJ If part of your body is tender , it is sensitive and painful when it is touched. □ My tummy felt very tender. ● ten|der|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There is still some tenderness in her tummy.
➋ ten|der /te ndə r / (tenders , tendering , tendered )
1 N‑VAR A tender is a formal offer to supply goods or to do a particular job, and a statement of the price that you or your company will charge. If a contract is put out to tender , formal offers are invited. If a company wins a tender , their offer is accepted. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ for ] Builders will then be sent the specifications and asked to submit a tender for the work.
2 VERB If a company tenders for something, it makes a formal offer to supply goods or do a job for a particular price. [BUSINESS ] □ [V + for ] The staff are forbidden to tender for private-sector work.
3 VERB If you tender something such as a suggestion, your resignation, or money, you formally offer or present it. □ [V n] She quickly tendered her resignation.
4 → see also legal tender
te nder-hea rted ADJ If you are tender-hearted , you have a gentle and caring nature.
ten|der|ize /te ndəra I z/ (tenderizes , tenderizing , tenderized ) in BRIT, also use tenderise VERB If you tenderize meat, you make it softer by preparing it in a particular way. □ [V n] Vinegar tenderises meat.
ten|din|itis /te ndəna I t I s/ also tendonitis N‑UNCOUNT Tendinitis is a medical condition in which a tendon becomes swollen and painful. [MEDICAL ] □ Tendinitis can usually be relieved with rest and ice massage.
ten|don /te ndən/ (tendons )
1 N‑COUNT A tendon is a strong cord in a person's or animal's body which joins a muscle to a bone.
2 → see also Achilles tendon
ten|dril /te ndr I l/ (tendrils )
1 N‑COUNT A tendril is something light and thin, for example a piece of hair which hangs loose and is away from the main part. □ [+ of ] Tendrils of hair strayed to the edge of her pillow.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Tendrils are thin stems which grow on some plants so that they can attach themselves to supports such as walls or other plants.
ten|ement /te nəmənt/ (tenements )
1 N‑COUNT A tenement is a large, old building which is divided into a number of individual flats. □ …elegant tenement buildings.
2 N‑COUNT A tenement is one of the flats in a tenement.
ten|et /te n I t/ (tenets ) N‑COUNT The tenets of a theory or belief are the main principles on which it is based. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Non-violence and patience are the central tenets of their faith.
ten|ner /te nə r / (tenners ) N‑COUNT A tenner is ten pounds or a ten-pound note. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
ten|nis ◆◇◇ /te n I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Tennis is a game played by two or four players on a rectangular court. The players use an oval racket with strings across it to hit a ball over a net across the middle of the court.
ten|or /te nə r / (tenors )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A tenor is a male singer whose voice is fairly high.
2 ADJ A tenor saxophone or other musical instrument has a range of notes that are of a fairly low pitch.
3 N‑SING [with poss] The tenor of something is the general meaning or mood that it expresses. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The whole tenor of discussions has changed.
te n-pin bo wl|ing also tenpin bowling N‑UNCOUNT Ten-pin bowling is a game in which you try to knock down ten objects shaped like bottles by rolling a heavy ball towards them. It is usually played in a place called a bowling alley. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use bowling
tense /te ns/ (tenser , tensest , tenses , tensing , tensed )
1 ADJ A tense situation or period of time is one that makes people anxious, because they do not know what is going to happen next. □ This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks. □ After three very tense weeks he phoned again.
2 ADJ If you are tense , you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax. □ Dart, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed. ● tense|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ She waited tensely for the next bulletin. ● tense|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ McKay walked slowly toward this screen, feeling a growing tenseness.
3 ADJ If your body is tense , your muscles are tight and not relaxed. □ A bath can relax tense muscles. ● tense|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.
4 VERB If your muscles tense , if you tense , or if you tense your muscles, your muscles become tight and stiff, often because you are anxious or frightened. □ [V ] Newman's stomach muscles tensed. □ [V n] Jane tensed her muscles to stop them from shaking. ● PHRASAL VERB Tense up means the same as tense . □ [V P ] When we are under stress our bodies tend to tense up. □ [V P n] Tense up the muscles in both of your legs. [Also V n P ]
5 N‑COUNT The tense of a verb group is its form, which usually shows whether you are referring to past, present, or future time. Compare aspect .
▸ tense up → see tense 4
ten|sile /te nsa I l, [AM ] -s I l/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use tensile when you are talking about the amount of stress that materials such as wire, rope, and concrete can take without breaking; a technical term in engineering. □ Certain materials can be manufactured with a high tensile strength.
ten|sion ◆◇◇ /te nʃ ə n/ (tensions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Tension is the feeling that is produced in a situation when people are anxious and do not trust each other, and when there is a possibility of sudden violence or conflict. □ [+ between ] The tension between the two countries is likely to remain.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Tension is a feeling of worry and anxiety which makes it difficult for you to relax. □ Smiling and laughing has actually been shown to relieve tension and stress.
3 N‑VAR If there is a tension between forces, arguments, or influences, there are differences between them that cause difficulties. □ [+ between ] The film explored the tension between public duty and personal affections.
4 N‑UNCOUNT The tension in something such as a rope or wire is the extent to which it is stretched tight. SYNONYMS tension NOUN
1
friction: The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.
hostility: There is a lot of hostility between them.
antagonism: There is still much antagonism between trades unions and the oil companies.
2
stress: Katy could think clearly when not under stress.
worry: His last years were overshadowed by financial worry.
anxiety: Her voice was full of anxiety.
strain: She was tired and under great strain.
tent /te nt/ (tents ) N‑COUNT A tent is a shelter made of canvas or nylon which is held up by poles and ropes, and is used mainly by people who are camping.
ten|ta|cle /te ntək ə l/ (tentacles )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The tentacles of an animal such as an octopus are the long thin parts that are used for feeling and holding things, for getting food, and for moving.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you talk about the tentacles of a political, commercial, or social organization, you are referring to the power and influence that it has in the outside community. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] Free speech is being gradually eroded year after year by new tentacles of government control.
ten|ta|tive /te ntət I v/
1 ADJ Tentative agreements, plans, or arrangements are not definite or certain, but have been made as a first step. □ Political leaders have reached a tentative agreement. ● ten|ta|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The next round of talks is tentatively scheduled to begin in October.
2 ADJ If someone is tentative , they are cautious and not very confident because they are uncertain or afraid. □ My first attempts at complaining were rather tentative. ● ten|ta|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Perhaps, he suggested tentatively, they should send for Dr Band.
tent|ed /te nt I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tented field or a tented camp is an area where a number of people are living in tents.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tented room has long pieces of material hanging down from the centre of the ceiling to the walls, so that the room has the appearance of the inside of a large tent. □ …a tented dining area.
tenter|hooks /te ntə r hʊks/ PHRASE If you are on tenterhooks , you are very nervous and excited because you are wondering what is going to happen in a particular situation. □ He was still on tenterhooks waiting for his directors' decision about the job.
tenth ◆◆◇ /te nθ/ (tenths )
1 ORD The tenth item in a series is the one that you count as number ten.
2 FRACTION A tenth is one of ten equal parts of something. □ We received only two tenths of an inch of rain during the entire month of June.
tenu|ous /te njuəs/ ADJ If you describe something such as a connection, a reason, or someone's position as tenuous , you mean that it is very uncertain or weak. □ The cultural and historical links between the many provinces were seen to be very tenuous. ● tenu|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The sub-plots are only tenuously interconnected.
ten|ure /te njə r /
1 N‑UNCOUNT Tenure is the legal right to live in a particular building or to use a particular piece of land during a fixed period of time. □ Lack of security of tenure was a reason for many families becoming homeless.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Tenure is the period of time during which someone holds an important job. □ [+ of ] …the three-year tenure of the President.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you have tenure in your job, you have the right to keep it until you retire.
te|pee /tiː piː/ (tepees ) also teepee N‑COUNT A tepee is a round tent. Tepees were first made by Native American peoples from animal skins or the outer covering of trees.
tep|id /te p I d/
1 ADJ Water or another liquid that is tepid is slightly warm. □ She bent her mouth to the tap and drank the tepid water.
2 ADJ If you describe something such as a feeling or reaction as tepid , you mean that it lacks enthusiasm. □ His nomination, while strongly backed by the President, has received tepid support in the Senate.
te|qui|la /t I kiː lə/ (tequilas ) N‑VAR Tequila is a strong alcoholic drink made in Mexico from a type of cactus plant.
ter|cen|te|nary /tɜː r sentiː nəri, [AM ] -te n-/ N‑SING A tercentenary is a day or a year which is exactly three hundred years after an important event such as the birth of a famous person. □ [+ of ] …the tercentenary of the composer's death.
term ◆◆◆ /tɜː r m/ (terms , terming , termed )
1 PHRASE If you talk about something in terms of something or in particular terms , you are specifying which aspect of it you are discussing or from what point of view you are considering it. □ [+ of ] Our goods compete in terms of product quality, reliability and above all variety. □ Paris has played a dominant role in France, not just in political terms but also in economic power.
2 PHRASE If you say something in particular terms , you say it using a particular type or level of language or using language which clearly shows your attitude. □ The video explains in simple terms how the new tax works.
3 N‑COUNT A term is a word or expression with a specific meaning, especially one which is used in relation to a particular subject. □ [+ for ] Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack.
4 VERB If you say that something is termed a particular thing, you mean that that is what people call it or that is their opinion of it. □ [be V -ed n] He had been termed a temporary employee. □ [V n n] He termed the war a humanitarian nightmare. [Also V n as n]
5 N‑VAR A term is one of the periods of time that a school, college, or university divides the year into. □ …the summer term. □ …the last day of term.
6 N‑COUNT A term is a period of time between two elections during which a particular party or government is in power. □ He won a fourth term of office in the election.
7 N‑COUNT A term is a period of time that someone spends doing a particular job or in a particular place. □ [+ of ] …a 12 month term of service. □ Offenders will be liable to a seven-year prison term.
8 N‑COUNT A term is the period for which a legal contract or insurance policy is valid. □ [+ of ] Premiums are guaranteed throughout the term of the policy.
9 N‑UNCOUNT The term of a woman's pregnancy is the nine month period that it lasts. Term is also used to refer to the end of the nine month period. □ Women over 40 seem to be just as capable of carrying a baby to term as younger women.
10 N‑PLURAL The terms of an agreement, treaty, or other arrangement are the conditions that must be accepted by the people involved in it. □ [+ of ] They are discussing the terms of the peace agreement.
11 PHRASE If you come to terms with something difficult or unpleasant, you learn to accept and deal with it. □ My dad needed to come to terms with the fact that I had become an adult.
12 PHRASE If two people or groups compete on equal terms or on the same terms , neither of them has an advantage over the other. □ [+ with ] I had at last found a sport where I could compete on equal terms with able-bodied people.
13 PHRASE If two people are on good terms or on friendly terms , they are friendly with each other. □ [+ with ] Madeleine is on good terms with Sarah.
14 PHRASE You use the expressions in the long term , in the short term , and in the medium term to talk about what will happen over a long period of time, over a short period of time, and over a medium period of time. □ The agreement should have very positive results in the long term.
15 → see also long-term , medium-term , short-term
16 PHRASE If you do something on your terms , you do it under conditions that you decide because you are in a position of power. □ They will sign the union treaty only on their terms.
17 PHRASE If you say that you are thinking in terms of doing a particular thing, you mean that you are considering it. □ United should be thinking in terms of winning the European Cup.
18 in no uncertain terms → see uncertain
19 in real terms → see real
20 on speaking terms → see speak SYNONYMS term NOUN 3
word: The word 'ginseng' comes from the Chinese word 'Shen-seng'.
name: They changed the name of the street.
expression: She spoke in a quiet voice but used remarkably coarse expressions.
phrase: He used a phrase I hate: 'You have to be cruel to be kind.' VERB 4
call: Everybody called each other by their surnames.
label: Certain estates are labelled as undesirable.
name: …a man named John T. Benson.
ter|mi|nal /tɜː r m I n ə l/ (terminals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A terminal illness or disease causes death, often slowly, and cannot be cured. □ …terminal cancer. □ His illness was terminal. ● ter|mi|nal|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ The patient is terminally ill.
2 N‑COUNT A terminal is a place where vehicles, passengers, or goods begin or end a journey. □ Plans are underway for a third terminal at the airport.
3 N‑COUNT A computer terminal is a piece of equipment consisting of a keyboard and a screen that is used for putting information into a computer or getting information from it. [COMPUTING ] □ Carl sits at a computer terminal 40 hours a week.
4 N‑COUNT On a piece of electrical equipment, a terminal is one of the points where electricity enters or leaves it. □ [+ of ] …the positive terminal of the battery.
ter|mi|nate /tɜː r m I ne I t/ (terminates , terminating , terminated )
1 VERB When you terminate something or when it terminates , it ends completely. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Her next remark abruptly terminated the conversation. □ [V ] His contract terminates at the end of the season. ● ter|mi|na|tion /tɜː r m I ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a dispute which led to the abrupt termination of trade.
2 VERB To terminate a pregnancy means to end it. [MEDICAL ] □ [V n] After a lot of agonizing, she decided to terminate the pregnancy. ● ter|mi|na|tion (terminations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] You should also have a medical check-up after the termination of a pregnancy.
3 VERB When a train or bus terminates somewhere, it ends its journey there. [FORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] This train will terminate at Taunton.
ter|mi|ni /tɜː r m I na I / Termini is a plural of terminus .
ter|mi|nol|ogy /tɜː r m I nɒ lədʒi/ (terminologies ) N‑VAR The terminology of a subject is the set of special words and expressions used in connection with it. □ …gastritis, which in medical terminology means an inflammation of the stomach.
ter|mi|nus /tɜː r m I nəs/ (termini ) N‑COUNT On a bus or train route, the terminus is the last stop, where the bus or train turns round or starts a journey in the opposite direction.
ter|mite /tɜː r ma I t/ (termites ) N‑COUNT Termites are small white insects which live in hot countries in homes made of earth. Termites do a lot of damage by eating wood.
te rm pa|per (term papers ) N‑COUNT A term paper is an essay or report which a student writes on a subject that he or she has studied during a term at a school, college, or university. [AM ]
te rms of re f|er|ence N‑PLURAL Terms of reference are the instructions given to someone when they are asked to consider or investigate a particular subject, telling them what they must deal with and what they can ignore. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The government has announced the terms of reference for its proposed committee of inquiry.
tern /tɜː r n/ (terns ) N‑COUNT A tern is a small black and white seabird with long wings and a forked tail.
ter|race /te r I s/ (terraces )
1 N‑COUNT A terrace is a row of similar houses joined together by their side walls. [BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …a terrace of stylish Victorian houses. □ …3 Queensborough Terrace.
2 N‑COUNT A terrace is a flat area of stone or grass next to a building where people can sit.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Terraces are a series of flat areas built like steps on the side of a hill so that crops can be grown there. □ [+ of ] …massive terraces of maize and millet carved into the mountainside like giant steps.
4 N‑PLURAL The terraces at a football ground are wide steps that people can stand on when they are watching a game. [BRIT ]
ter|raced /te r I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A terraced slope or side of a hill has flat areas like steps cut into it, where crops or other plants can be grown.
te r|raced hou se (terraced houses ) N‑COUNT A terraced house or a terrace house is one of a row of similar houses joined together by their side walls. [BRIT ] in AM, use row house
ter|rac|ing /te rəs I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Terracing is a sloping piece of land that has had flat areas like steps built on it, for example so that people can grow crops there.
terra|cotta /te rəkɒ tə/ also terra-cotta
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Terracotta is a brownish-red clay that has been baked and is used for making things such as flower pots, small statues, and tiles. □ …plants in terracotta pots.
2 COLOUR Terracotta is used to describe things that are brownish-red in colour. □ …the soft tones of blue, cream and terracotta.
ter|ra fir|ma /te rə fɜː r mə/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe the ground as terra firma , you mean that it feels safe in contrast to being in the air or at sea. □ …his relief on finding himself once more on terra firma.
ter|rain /təre I n/ (terrains ) N‑VAR Terrain is used to refer to an area of land or a type of land when you are considering its physical features. □ The terrain changed quickly from arable land to desert.
ter|ra|pin /te rəp I n/ (terrapins ) N‑COUNT A terrapin is a reptile which has a thick shell covering its body and which lives partly in water and partly on land.
ter|res|trial /t I re striəl/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Terrestrial means relating to the planet Earth rather than to some other part of the universe. □ …terrestrial life forms.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Terrestrial television channels are transmitted using equipment situated at ground level, and not by satellite. [BRIT ]
ter|ri|ble ◆◆◇ /te r I b ə l/
1 ADJ A terrible experience or situation is very serious or very unpleasant. □ Tens of thousands more suffered terrible injuries in the world's worst industrial disaster. □ I often have the most terrible nightmares. ● ter|ri|bly ADV [ADV after v] □ My son has suffered terribly. He has lost his best friend.
2 ADJ If something is terrible , it is very bad or of very poor quality. □ She admits her French is terrible.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use terrible to emphasize the great extent or degree of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ I was a terrible fool, you know. I remember that now. ● ter|ri|bly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ I'm terribly sorry to bother you at this hour. SYNONYMS terrible ADJ 1
awful: Even if the weather's awful there's lots to do.
appalling: They have been living under the most appalling conditions.
dreadful: They told us the dreadful news.
horrendous: He described it as the most horrendous experience of his life.
ter|ri|er /te riə r / (terriers )
1 N‑COUNT A terrier is a small breed of dog. There are many different types of terrier.
2 → see also bull terrier , pit bull terrier
ter|rif|ic /tər I f I k/
1 ADJ If you describe something or someone as terrific , you are very pleased with them or very impressed by them. [INFORMAL ] □ What a terrific idea! □ Everybody there was having a terrific time.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Terrific means very great in amount, degree, or intensity. [EMPHASIS ] □ All of a sudden there was a terrific bang and a flash of smoke. ● ter|rifi|cal|ly /tər I f I kli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ …the only child of terrifically repressed parents.
ter|ri|fy /te r I fa I / (terrifies , terrifying , terrified ) VERB If something terrifies you, it makes you feel extremely frightened. □ [V n] Flying terrifies him. ● ter|ri|fied ADJ [ADJ that, ADJ to-inf] □ [+ of ] He was terrified of heights. □ She was terrified that Ronnie would kidnap Sam.
ter|ri|fy|ing /te r I fa I I ŋ/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If something is terrifying , it makes you very frightened. □ I still find it terrifying to find myself surrounded by large numbers of horses.
ter|ri|to|rial /te r I tɔː riəl/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Territorial means concerned with the ownership of a particular area of land or water. □ It is the only republic which has no territorial disputes with the others.
2 ADJ If you describe an animal or its behaviour as territorial , you mean that it has an area which it regards as its own, and which it defends when other animals try to enter it. □ Two cats or more in one house will also exhibit territorial behaviour.
Te r|ri|to|rial A rmy N‑PROPER The Territorial Army is a British armed force whose members are not professional soldiers but train as soldiers in their spare time.
te r|ri|to|rial wa |ters N‑PLURAL A country's territorial waters are the parts of the sea close to its coast which are recognized by international agreement to be under its control, especially with regard to fishing rights.
ter|ri|tory ◆◆◇ /te rətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ (territories )
1 N‑VAR Territory is land which is controlled by a particular country or ruler. □ The government denies that any of its territory is under rebel control. □ …Russian territory.
2 N‑COUNT A territory is a country or region that is controlled by another country. □ He toured some of the disputed territories now under U.N. control.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You can use territory to refer to an area of knowledge or experience. □ Following the futuristic The Handmaid's Tale, her next novel returned to more familiar territory.
4 virgin territory → see virgin
5 N‑VAR An animal's territory is an area which it regards as its own and which it defends when other animals try to enter it.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [usu adj N ] Territory is land with a particular character. □ …mountainous territory. □ …a vast and uninhabited territory.
7 PHRASE If you say that something comes with the territory , you mean that you accept it as a natural result of the situation you are in. □ You can't expect not to have a debate; that's what comes with the territory in a democracy. SYNONYMS territory NOUN 1
district: …the home of the governor of the district.
area: If there is an election in your area, you should go and vote.
land: …this land of free speech.
region: …a remote mountain region.
ter|ror /te rə r / (terrors )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Terror is very great fear. □ I shook with terror whenever I was about to fly in an aeroplane.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Terror is violence or the threat of violence, especially when it is used for political reasons. □ The bomb attack on the capital could signal the start of a pre-election terror campaign.
3 N‑COUNT A terror is something that makes you very frightened. □ [+ of ] As a boy, he had a real terror of facing people. □ [+ of ] …the terrors of violence.
4 N‑COUNT If someone describes a child as a terror , they think that he or she is naughty and difficult to control. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was a terror. He had been a difficult child for as long as his parents could remember.
5 reign of terror → see reign
ter|ror|ise /te rəra I z/ → see terrorize
ter|ror|ism /te rər I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Terrorism is the use of violence, especially murder and bombing, in order to achieve political aims or to force a government to do something. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ter|ror|ist ◆◇◇ /te rər I st/ (terrorists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A terrorist is a person who uses violence, especially murder and bombing, in order to achieve political aims. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ One person was killed and three were wounded in terrorist attacks. SYNONYMS terrorist NOUN
freedom fighter: He calls himself a freedom fighter.
bomber: Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.
revolutionary: The revolutionaries laid down their arms and their leaders went into voluntary exile.
guerrilla: The guerrillas threatened to kill their hostages.
ter|ror|ize /te rəra I z/ (terrorizes , terrorizing , terrorized ) in BRIT, also use terrorise VERB If someone terrorizes you, they keep you in a state of fear by making it seem likely that they will attack you. □ [V n] Bands of gunmen have hijacked food shipments and terrorized relief workers.
ter|ry /te ri/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Terry or terry cloth is a type of fabric which has a lot of very small loops covering both sides. It is used especially for making things like towels and babies' nappies. □ …a terry nappy.
terse /tɜː r s/ (terser , tersest ) ADJ A terse statement or comment is brief and unfriendly. □ He issued a terse statement. ● terse|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'It's too late,' he said tersely.
ter|tiary /tɜː r ʃəri, [AM ] -ʃieri/
1 ADJ Tertiary means third in order, third in importance, or at a third stage of development. [FORMAL ] □ He must have come to know those philosophers through secondary or tertiary sources.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Tertiary education is education at university or college level. [BRIT ] □ …institutions of tertiary education. in AM, use higher education
te r|tiary se c|tor (tertiary sectors ) N‑COUNT The tertiary sector consists of industries which provide a service, such as transport and finance. [BUSINESS ] □ The proportion of the labour force in the tertiary sector is increasing.
TESL /te s ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT TESL is the teaching of English to people who live in an English-speaking country, but whose first language is not English. TESL is an abbreviation for 'teaching English as a second language'.
TESOL /tiː sɒl/ N‑UNCOUNT TESOL is the teaching of English to people whose first language is not English. TESOL is an abbreviation for 'teaching English to speakers of other languages'.
test ◆◆◆ /te st/ (tests , testing , tested )
1 VERB When you test something, you try it, for example by touching it or using it for a short time, in order to find out what it is, what condition it is in, or how well it works. □ [be V -ed] The drug must first be tested in clinical trials to see if it works on other cancers.
2 N‑COUNT A test is a deliberate action or experiment to find out how well something works. □ …the banning of nuclear tests.
3 VERB If you test someone, you ask them questions or tell them to perform certain actions in order to find out how much they know about a subject or how well they are able to do something. □ [V n] They are not really testing pupils; they are testing the teachers. □ [V pron-refl] She decided to test herself with a training run in London.
4 N‑COUNT A test is a series of questions that you must answer or actions that you must perform in order to show how much you know about a subject or how well you are able to do something. □ Out of a total of 2,602 pupils, only 922 passed the test. □ She had sold her bike, taken a driving test and bought a car.
5 VERB If you test someone, you deliberately make things difficult for them in order to see how they react. □ [V n] She may be testing her mother to see how much she can take before she throws her out.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If an event or situation is a test of a person or thing, it reveals their qualities or effectiveness. □ [+ of ] It is a commonplace fact that holidays are a major test of any relationship.
7 VERB [usu passive] If you are tested for a particular disease or medical condition, you are examined or go through various procedures in order to find out whether you have that disease or condition. □ [be V -ed + for ] My doctor wants me to be tested for diabetes. □ [be V -ed] Girls in an affected family can also be tested to see if they carry the defective gene.
8 N‑COUNT A medical test is an examination of a part of your body in order to check that you are healthy or to find out what is wrong with you. □ If necessary, X-rays and blood tests will also be used to aid diagnosis.
9 N‑COUNT A test is a sports match between two international teams, usually in cricket, rugby union, or rugby league. [BRIT ]
10 → see also acid test , breath test , litmus test , means test , testing , test match
11 PHRASE If you put something to the test , you find out how useful or effective it is by using it. □ The Liverpool team are now putting their theory to the test.
12 PHRASE If new circumstances or events put something to the test , they put a strain on it and indicate how strong or stable it really is. □ Sooner or later, life will put the relationship to the test.
13 PHRASE If you say that something will stand the test of time , you mean that it is strong or effective enough to last for a very long time. □ It says a lot for her culinary skills that so many of her recipes have stood the test of time.
14 to test the waters → see water SYNONYMS test VERB 1
check: It's worth checking each item for obvious flaws.
try out: London Transport hopes to try out the system in September.
assess: It would be a matter of assessing whether she was well enough to travel. NOUN 2
trial: They have been treated with this drug in clinical trials.
check: He is being constantly monitored with regular checks on his blood pressure.
assessment: Heggie was sent to a psychiatric hospital for an assessment.
experiment: …a proposed new law on animal experiments.
tes|ta|ment /te stəmənt/ (testaments )
1 N‑VAR If one thing is a testament to another, it shows that the other thing exists or is true. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] Braka's house, just off Sloane Square, is a testament to his Gothic tastes.
2 PHRASE [usu with poss] Someone's last will and testament is the most recent will that they have made, especially the last will that they make before they die. [LEGAL ]
3 → see also New Testament , Old Testament
te st bed (test beds ) N‑COUNT A test bed is a piece of equipment used for testing new machines.
te st ca se (test cases ) N‑COUNT A test case is a legal case which becomes an example for deciding other similar cases.
test|er /te stə r / (testers )
1 N‑COUNT A tester is a person who has been asked to test a particular thing.
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A tester is a machine or device that you use to test whether another machine or device is working properly. □ I have a battery tester in my garage.
tes|ti|cle /te st I k ə l/ (testicles ) N‑COUNT A man's testicles are the two sex glands between his legs that produce sperm.
tes|ticu|lar /test I kjʊlə r / ADJ [ADJ n] Testicular means relating to or involving the testicles. □ …testicular cancer.
tes|ti|fy /te st I fa I / (testifies , testifying , testified )
1 VERB When someone testifies in a court of law, they give a statement of what they saw someone do or what they know of a situation, after having promised to tell the truth. □ [V that] Several eyewitnesses testified that they saw him run from the scene. □ [V + to ] Eva testified to having seen Herndon with his gun on the stairs. □ [V + against/for/about ] He hopes to have his 12-year prison term reduced by testifying against his former colleagues. [Also V ]
2 VERB If one thing testifies to another, it supports the belief that the second thing is true. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] Recent excavations testify to the presence of cultivated inhabitants on the hill during the Arthurian period.
tes|ti|mo|nial /te st I moʊ niəl/ (testimonials )
1 N‑COUNT A testimonial is a written statement about a person's character and abilities, often written by their employer. □ [+ to ] Her employer could provide testimonials to her character and ability.
2 N‑COUNT A testimonial is a sports match which is specially arranged so that part of the profit from the tickets sold can be given to a particular player or to a particular player's family.
tes|ti|mo|ny /te st I məni, [AM ] -moʊni/ (testimonies )
1 N‑VAR [oft poss N ] In a court of law, someone's testimony is a formal statement that they make about what they saw someone do or what they know of a situation, after having promised to tell the truth. □ His testimony was an important element of the Prosecution case.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If you say that one thing is testimony to another, you mean that it shows clearly that the second thing has a particular quality. □ [+ to ] This book is testimony to a very individual kind of courage.
test|ing ◆◇◇ /te st I ŋ/
1 ADJ A testing problem or situation is very difficult to deal with and shows a lot about the character of the person who is dealing with it. □ The most testing time is undoubtedly in the early months of your return to work.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Testing is the activity of testing something or someone in order to find out information. □ The National Collegiate Athletic Association introduced drug testing in the mid-1980s.
tes|tis /te st I s/ (testes /te stiːz/) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A man's testes are his testicles . [MEDICAL ]
te st match (test matches ) N‑COUNT In cricket and rugby, a test match is a one of a series of matches played between teams representing two countries. [BRIT ]
tes|tos|ter|one /testɒ stəroʊn/ N‑UNCOUNT Testosterone is a hormone found in men and male animals, which can also be produced artificially. It is thought to be responsible for the male sexual instinct and other male characteristics.
te st pi|lot (test pilots ) N‑COUNT A test pilot is a pilot who flies aircraft of a new design in order to test their performance.
te st ru n (test runs ) N‑COUNT If you give a machine or system a test run , you try it out to see if it will work properly when it is actually in use.
te st tube (test tubes ) also test-tube N‑COUNT A test tube is a small tube-shaped container made from glass. Test tubes are used in laboratories.
te st-tube ba by (test-tube babies ) also test tube baby N‑COUNT A test-tube baby is a baby that develops from an egg which has been removed from the mother's body, fertilized, and then replaced in her womb in order that it can continue developing.
tes|ty /te sti/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as testy , you mean that they easily become impatient or angry. [mainly LITERARY ] □ Ben's getting a little testy in his old age. ● tes|ti|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He reacted testily to reports that he'd opposed military involvement.
teta|nus /te tənəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Tetanus is a serious painful disease caused by bacteria getting into wounds. It makes your muscles, especially your jaw muscles, go stiff.
tetchy /te tʃi/ (tetchier , tetchiest ) ADJ If you say that someone is tetchy , you mean they are bad-tempered and likely to get angry suddenly without an obvious reason. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ You always get tetchy when you're hungry. □ He was in a particularly tetchy mood yesterday.
teth|er /te ðə r / (tethers , tethering , tethered )
1 PHRASE If you say that you are at the end of your tether , you mean that you are so worried, tired, and unhappy because of your problems that you feel you cannot cope. □ She was jealous, humiliated, and emotionally at the end of her tether.
2 N‑COUNT A tether is a rope or chain which is used to tie an animal to a post or fence so that it can only move around within a small area.
3 VERB If you tether an animal or object to something, you attach it there with a rope or chain so that it cannot move very far. □ [V n + to ] The officer dismounted, tethering his horse to a tree. [Also V n]
Teu|ton|ic /tjuːtɒ n I k, [AM ] tuː-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Teutonic means typical of or relating to German people. [FORMAL ] □ The coach was a masterpiece of Teutonic engineering.
Tex-Mex /te ksme ks/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use Tex-Mex to describe things such as food or music that combine typical elements from Mexico and the south-western United States. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ …Tex-Mex restaurants.
text ◆◇◇ /te kst/ (texts , texting , texted )
1 N‑SING The text of a book is the main part of it, rather than the introduction, pictures, or notes. □ The text is precise and informative.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Text is any written material. □ The manuscript consisted of 500 pages of typed text.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The text of a speech, broadcast, or recording is the written version of it. □ [+ of ] A text of his speech had been circulated to all of the bishops.
4 N‑COUNT A text is a book or other piece of writing, especially one connected with science or learning. □ Her text is believed to be the oldest surviving manuscript by a female physician.
5 N‑COUNT A text is a written or spoken passage, especially one that is used in a school or university for discussion or in an examination. □ His early plays are set texts in universities.
6 N‑COUNT A text is the same as a text message . □ He sent a text to his boss insisting that he had done nothing wrong.
7 VERB If you text someone, you send them a text message on a mobile phone. □ [V n] Mary texted me when she got home. SYNONYMS text NOUN
2
words: Can you hear the words on the album?
wording: The wording is so vague that no one actually knows what it means.
content: The letter's contents were not disclosed.
5
passage: He reads a passage from Milton.
extract: Read this extract from an information booklet about the work of an airline cabin crew.
excerpt: …an excerpt from her new novel.
text|book /te kstbʊk/ (textbooks ) also text book
1 N‑COUNT A textbook is a book containing facts about a particular subject that is used by people studying that subject. □ …a chemistry textbook.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that something is a textbook case or example, you are emphasizing that it provides a clear example of a type of situation or event. [EMPHASIS ] □ The house is a textbook example of medieval domestic architecture.
tex|tile /te ksta I l/ (textiles )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Textiles are types of cloth or fabric, especially ones that have been woven. □ …the Scottish textile industry.
2 N‑PLURAL [no det] Textiles are the industries concerned with the manufacture of cloth. □ Another 75,000 jobs will be lost in textiles and clothing.
text|ing /te kst I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Texting is the same as text messaging .
te xt mes|sage (text messages ) N‑COUNT A text message is a written message that you send using a mobile phone.
te xt mes|sag|ing N‑UNCOUNT Text messaging is sending written messages using a mobile phone.
text|phone /te kstfoʊn/ (textphones ) N‑COUNT A textphone is a telephone with a screen and a keyboard, designed for people with hearing problems.
tex|tu|al /te kstʃuəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Textual means relating to written texts, especially literary texts. □ …close textual analysis of Shakespeare.
tex|ture /te kstʃə r / (textures )
1 N‑VAR The texture of something is the way that it feels when you touch it, for example how smooth or rough it is. □ Aloe Vera is used in moisturisers to give them a wonderfully silky texture.
2 N‑VAR The texture of something, especially food or soil, is its structure, for example whether it is light with lots of holes, or very heavy and solid. □ This cheese has an open, crumbly texture with a strong flavour.
tex|tured /te kstʃə r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A textured surface is not smooth, but has a particular texture, for example, it feels rough. □ The shoe's sole had a slightly textured surface.
SUFFIX -th
You add -th to numbers written in figures and ending in 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 in order to form ordinal numbers. These numbers are pronounced as if they were written as words. For example, 7th is pronounced the same as 'seventh', and 5th is pronounced the same as 'fifth'. For example, ' 10th May' is day number 10 in the month of May.
Thai /ta I / (Thais )
1 ADJ Thai means belonging or relating to Thailand, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Thai is a person who comes from Thailand.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Thai is the language spoken in Thailand.
tha|lido|mide /θəl I dəma I d/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Thalidomide is a drug which used to be given to pregnant women, before it was discovered that it resulted in babies being born with wrongly shaped arms and legs.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Thalidomide is used to describe someone whose arms and legs are wrongly shaped because their mother took thalidomide when she was pregnant. □ …the special needs of thalidomide children.
than ◆◆◆ /ðən, STRONG ðæn/
1 PREP You use than after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to link two parts of a comparison. □ The radio only weighs a few ounces and is smaller than a mobile phone. □ She walks far more slowly than we do. ● CONJ Than is also a conjunction. □ He wished he could have helped her more than he did. □ Sometimes patients are more depressed six months later than when they first hear the bad news.
2 PREP You use than when you are stating a number, quantity, or value approximately by saying that it is above or below another number, quantity, or value. □ They talked on the phone for more than an hour. □ The tournament starts in less than two months' time.
3 CONJ You use than in order to link two parts of a contrast, for example in order to state a preference. □ The arrangement was more a formality than a genuine partnership of two nations.
4 less than → see less
5 more than → see more
6 more often than not → see often
7 other than → see other
8 rather than → see rather
thank ◆◆◆ /θæ ŋk/ (thanks , thanking , thanked )
1 CONVENTION You use thank you or, in more informal English, thanks to express your gratitude when someone does something for you or gives you what you want. [FORMULAE ] □ Thank you very much for your call. □ [+ for ] Thanks for the information. □ Thanks a lot, Suzie. You've been great.
2 CONVENTION You use thank you or, in more informal English, thanks to politely accept or refuse something that has just been offered to you. [FORMULAE ] □ 'You'd like a cup as well, would you, Mr Secombe?'—'Thank you, Jane, I'd love one.' □ 'Would you like a biscuit?'—'No thank you.'
3 CONVENTION You use thank you or, in more informal English, thanks to politely acknowledge what someone has said to you, especially when they have answered your question or said something nice to you. [FORMULAE ] □ The policeman smiled at her. 'Pretty dog.'—'Oh well, thank you.' □ 'It's great to see you.'—'Thanks. Same to you.'
4 CONVENTION You use thank you or thank you very much in order to say firmly that you do not want someone's help or to tell them that you do not like the way that they are behaving towards you. [EMPHASIS ] □ I can stir my own tea, thank you. □ We know where we can get it, thank you very much.
5 VERB When you thank someone for something, you express your gratitude to them for it. □ [V n + for ] I thanked them for their long and loyal service. □ [V n] When the decision was read out Mrs Gardner thanked the judges.
6 N‑PLURAL When you express your thanks to someone, you express your gratitude to them for something. □ They accepted their certificates with words of thanks.
7 → see also thankyou
8 PHRASE You say ' Thank God ', ' Thank Goodness ', or ' Thank heavens ' when you are very relieved about something. [FEELINGS ] □ I was wrong, thank God. □ Thank heavens we have you here.
9 PHRASE If you say that you have someone to thank for something, you mean that you are grateful to them because they caused it to happen. □ [+ for ] I have her to thank for my life.
10 PHRASE If you say that something happens thanks to a particular person or thing, you mean that they are responsible for it happening or caused it to happen. □ [+ to ] It is thanks to this committee that many new sponsors have come forward.
11 PHRASE If you say that something happens no thanks to a particular person or thing, you mean that they did not help it to happen, or that it happened in spite of them. □ [+ to ] It is no thanks to the Government that net assets did rise.
thank|ful /θæ ŋkfʊl/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , oft ADJ that] When you are thankful , you are very happy and relieved that something has happened. □ Most of the time I'm just thankful that I've got a job. [Also + for ]
thank|ful|ly /θæ ŋkfʊli/ ADV You use thankfully in order to express approval or happiness about a statement that you are making. □ Thankfully, she was not injured.
thank|less /θæ ŋkləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a job or task as thankless , you mean that it is hard work and brings very few rewards. □ Soccer referees have a thankless task.
thanks|giving /θæ ŋksg I v I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Thanksgiving is the giving of thanks to God, especially in a religious ceremony. □ The Prince's unexpected recovery was celebrated with a thanksgiving service in St Paul's.
Thanks|giving (Thanksgivings ) N‑VAR In the United States, Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday on the fourth Thursday in November. It was originally a day when people celebrated the end of the harvest and thanked God for it.
thank|you /θæ ŋkjuː/ (thankyous ) also thank-you
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you refer to something as a thankyou for what someone has done for you, you mean that it is intended as a way of thanking them. □ The surprise gift is a thankyou for our help. □ …a thank-you note.
2 → see also thank
that
➊ DEMONSTRATIVE USES
➋ CONJUNCTION AND RELATIVE PRONOUN USES
➊ that ◆◆◆ /ðæ t/
→ Please look at categories 20 to 22 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 PRON You use that to refer back to an idea or situation expressed in a previous sentence or sentences. □ They said you particularly wanted to talk to me. Why was that? □ Some feared Germany might raise its interest rates. That could have set the scene for a confrontation with the U.S. ● DET That is also a determiner. □ Their main aim is to support you when making a claim for medical treatment. For that reason the claims procedure is as simple and helpful as possible.
2 DET You use that to refer to someone or something already mentioned. □ The Commissioners get between £50,000 and £60,000 a year in various allowances. But that amount can soar to £90,000 a year.
3 DET When you have been talking about a particular period of time, you use that to indicate that you are still referring to the same period. You use expressions such as that morning or that afternoon to indicate that you are referring to an earlier period of the same day. □ The story was published in a Sunday newspaper later that week.
4 PRON You use that in expressions such as that of and that which to introduce more information about something already mentioned, instead of repeating the noun which refers to it. [FORMAL ] □ The cool air and green light made the atmosphere curiously like that of an aquarium.
5 PRON You use that in front of words or expressions which express agreement, responses, or reactions to what has just been said. □ 'She said she'd met you in England.'—'That's true.' □ 'I've never been to Paris.'—'That's a pity. You should go one day.'
6 DET You use that to introduce a person or thing that you are going to give details or information about. [FORMAL ] □ In my case I chose that course which I considered right.
7 DET You use that when you are referring to someone or something which is a distance away from you in position or time, especially when you indicate or point to them. When there are two or more things near you, that refers to the more distant one. □ Look at that guy. He's got red socks. □ Where did you get that hat? ● PRON That is also a pronoun. □ That looks heavy. May I carry it for you?
8 PRON You use that when you are identifying someone or asking about their identity. □ That's my wife you were talking to. □ I answered the phone and this voice went, 'Hello? Is that Alison?'
9 DET You can use that when you expect the person you are talking to to know what or who you are referring to, without needing to identify the particular person or thing fully. [SPOKEN ] □ Did you get that cheque I sent? ● PRON That is also a pronoun. □ That was a terrible case of blackmail in the paper today.
10 ADV [ADV adj/adv] If something is not that bad, funny, or expensive for example, it is not as bad, funny, or expensive as it might be or as has been suggested. □ Not even Gary, he said, was that stupid.
11 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use that to emphasize the degree of a feeling or quality. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I would have walked out, I was that angry.
12 → see also those
13 PHRASE You use and all that or and that to refer generally to everything else which is associated with what you have just mentioned. [INFORMAL , VAGUENESS ] □ I'm not a cook myself but I am interested in nutrition and that.
14 PHRASE You use at that after a statement which modifies or emphasizes what you have just said. [EMPHASIS ] □ Success never seems to come but through hard work, often physically demanding work at that.
15 PHRASE You use that is or that is to say to indicate that you are about to express the same idea more clearly or precisely. □ I am a disappointing, though generally dutiful, student. That is, I do as I'm told.
16 PHRASE You use that's it to indicate that nothing more needs to be done or that the end has been reached. □ When he left the office, that was it, the workday was over.
17 CONVENTION You use that's it to express agreement with or approval of what has just been said or done. [FORMULAE ] □ 'You got married, right?'—'Yeah, that's it.'
18 PHRASE You use just like that to emphasize that something happens or is done immediately or in a very simple way, often without much thought or discussion. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Just like that, I was in love.
19 PHRASE You use that's that to say there is nothing more you can do or say about a particular matter. [SPOKEN ] □ 'Well, if that's the way you want it,' he replied, tears in his eyes, 'I guess that's that.'
20 like that → see like ➌
21 this and that → see this
22 this, that and the other → see this
➋ that ◆◆◆ /ðət, STRONG ðæt/
1 CONJ You can use that after many verbs, adjectives, nouns, and expressions to introduce a clause in which you report what someone has said, or what they think or feel. □ He called her up one day and said that he and his family were coming to New York. □ We were worried that she was going to die.
2 CONJ You use that after 'it' and a link verb and an adjective to comment on a situation or fact. □ I've made up my mind, but it's obvious that you need more time to think.
3 PRON You use that to introduce a clause which gives more information to help identify the person or thing you are talking about. □ …pills that will make the problem disappear. □ …a car that won't start.
4 CONJ You use that after expressions with 'so' and 'such' in order to introduce the result or effect of something. □ She became so nervous that she shook violently.
thatch /θæ tʃ/ (thatches )
1 N‑COUNT A thatch or a thatch roof is a roof made from straw or reeds. □ They would live in a small house with a green door and a new thatch.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Thatch is straw or reeds used to make a roof.
3 N‑SING You can refer to someone's hair as their thatch of hair, especially when it is very thick and untidy. □ [+ of ] Teddy ran thick fingers through his unruly thatch of hair.
thatched /θæ tʃt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A thatched house or a house with a thatched roof has a roof made of straw or reeds.
thatch|er /θæ tʃə r / (thatchers ) N‑COUNT A thatcher is a person whose job is making roofs from straw or reeds.
thatch|ing /θæ tʃ I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Thatching is straw or reeds used to make a roof.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Thatching is the skill or activity of making roofs from straw or reeds.
that'd /ðæ t ə d/ That'd is a spoken form of 'that would', or of 'that had' when 'had' is an auxiliary verb.
that'll /ðæ t ə l/ That'll is a spoken form of 'that will'.
that's /ðæ ts/ That's is a spoken form of 'that is'.
thaw /θɔː / (thaws , thawing , thawed )
1 VERB When ice, snow, or something else that is frozen thaws , it melts. □ [V ] It's so cold the snow doesn't get a chance to thaw.
2 N‑COUNT A thaw is a period of warmer weather when snow and ice melt, usually at the end of winter. □ We slogged through the mud of an early spring thaw.
3 VERB When you thaw frozen food or when it thaws , you leave it in a place where it can reach room temperature so that it is ready for use. □ [V n] Always thaw pastry thoroughly. □ [V ] The food in the freezer had thawed during a power cut. ● PHRASAL VERB Thaw out means the same as thaw . □ [V n P ] Thaw it out completely before reheating in a saucepan. □ [V P n] I remember to thaw out the chicken before I leave home. [Also V P ]
4 VERB If something thaws relations between people or if relations thaw , they become friendly again after a period of being unfriendly. □ [V n] At least this second meeting had helped to thaw the atmosphere. □ [V ] It took up to Christmas for political relations to thaw. ● N‑SING Thaw is also a noun. □ [+ in ] His visit is one of the most striking results of the thaw in relations between the two countries.
▸ thaw out → see thaw 3
the ◆◆◆ The is the definite article. It is used at the beginning of noun groups. The is usually pronounced /ðə/ before a consonant and /ði/ before a vowel, but pronounced /ðiː/ when you are emphasizing it. 1 DET You use the at the beginning of noun groups to refer to someone or something that you have already mentioned or identified. □ We both got up and, ignoring the waiter, made our way to the buffet. □ Six of the 38 people were Russian citizens.
2 DET You use the at the beginning of a noun group when the first noun is followed by an 'of' phrase or a clause which identifies the person or thing. □ There has been a slight increase in the consumption of meat. □ Of the 9,660 cases processed last year, only 10 per cent were totally rejected.
3 DET You use the in front of some nouns that refer to something in our general experience of the world. □ It's always hard to speculate about the future. □ Amy sat outside in the sun.
4 DET You use the in front of nouns that refer to people, things, services, or institutions that are associated with everyday life. □ The doctor's on his way. □ Who was that on the phone?
5 DET You use the instead of a possessive determiner, especially when you are talking about a part of someone's body or a member of their family. □ 'How's the family?'—'Just fine, thank you.' □ I patted him on the head.
6 DET You use the in front of a singular noun when you want to make a general statement about things or people of that type. □ The mobile phone has become integral to most people's lives. □ After dogs, the horse has had the closest relationship with man.
7 DET You use the with the name of a musical instrument when you are talking about someone's ability to play the instrument. □ She was trying to teach him to play the guitar.
8 DET You use the with nationality adjectives and nouns to talk about the people who live in a country. □ Shiatsu works by stimulating the body's vital energy flow (termed "chi" by the Chinese).
9 DET You use the with words such as 'rich', 'poor', or 'unemployed' to refer to all people of a particular type. □ …support for the unemployed.
10 DET If you want to refer to a whole family or to a married couple, you can make their surname into a plural and use the in front of it. □ The Taylors decided that they would employ an architect to do the work.
11 DET You use the in front of an adjective when you are referring to a particular thing that is described by that adjective. □ He knows he's wishing for the impossible. □ I thought you might like to read the enclosed.
12 DET You use the to indicate that you have enough of the thing mentioned for a particular purpose. □ She may not have the money to maintain or restore her property. □ We must have the patience to continue to work until we will find a peaceful solution.
13 DET You use the with some titles, place names, and other names. □ The company was alleged to have leaked the news to the Daily Mail. □ …the Albert Hall.
14 DET You use the in front of numbers such as first, second, and third. □ The meeting should take place on the fifth of May. □ Marco Polo is said to have sailed on the Pacific on his way to Java in the thirteenth century.
15 DET You use the in front of numbers when they refer to decades. □ It's sometimes hard to imagine how bad things were in the thirties.
16 DET You use the in front of superlative adjectives and adverbs. □ Brisk daily walks are still the best exercise for young and old alike.
17 DET You use the in front of each of two comparative adjectives or adverbs when you are describing how one amount or quality changes in relation to another. □ The longer you have been in shape in the past, the quicker you will regain fitness in future.
18 DET When you express rates, prices, and measurements, you can use the to say how many units apply to each of the items being measured. □ Cars do fewer miles to the litre on LPG fuel. □ Some analysts predicted that the exchange rate would soon be $2 to the pound.
19 DET You use the to indicate that something or someone is the most famous, important, or best thing of its kind. In spoken English, you put more stress on it, and in written English, you often underline it or write it in capitals or italics. □ Camden Market is the place to be on a Saturday or Sunday.
thea|tre ◆◆◇ /θiː ətə r / (theatres ) in AM, use theater 1 N‑COUNT A theatre is a building with a stage in it, on which plays, shows, and other performances take place. □ I worked at the Grand Theatre.
2 N‑SING You can refer to work in the theatre such as acting or writing plays as the theatre . □ You can move up to work in films and the theatre.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Theatre is entertainment that involves the performance of plays.
4 N‑COUNT A theater or a movie theater is a place where people go to watch films for entertainment. [AM ] in BRIT, use cinema 5 N‑COUNT In a hospital, a theatre is a special room where surgeons carry out medical operations. □ She is back from theatre and her condition is comfortable.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A theatre of war or other conflict is the area or region in which the war or conflict is happening. □ [+ of ] …the Prussian army's battle to join up with Wellington, away from the main theatre of war. SYNONYMS theatre NOUN 1
playhouse: The Theatre Royal is one of the oldest playhouses in Britain.
auditorium: The Albert Hall is a huge auditorium.
amphitheatre: We visited the amphitheatre.
thea tre-goer (theatre-goers ) in AM, use theatergoer N‑COUNT Theatre-goers are people who are at the theatre to see a play, or who regularly go to the theatre to see plays.
the|at|ri|cal /θiæ tr I k ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Theatrical means relating to the theatre. □ These are the prizes given for the most outstanding British theatrical performances of the year. ● the|at|ri|cal|ly /θiæ tr I kli/ ADV □ Shaffer's great gift lies in his ability to animate ideas theatrically.
2 ADJ Theatrical behaviour is exaggerated and unnatural, and intended to create an effect. □ In a theatrical gesture, Glass clamped his hand over his eyes. ● the|at|ri|cal|ly ADV □ He looked theatrically at his watch.
3 ADJ Theatrical can be used to describe something that is grand and dramatic, as if it is part of a performance in a theatre. □ There was a theatrical air about the whole scene which had a great appeal for me. ● the|at|ri|cal|ly ADV □ …a white hotel theatrically set along a ridge.
thee /ðiː/ PRON Thee is an old-fashioned, poetic, or religious word for 'you' when you are talking to only one person. It is used as the object of a verb or preposition. □ I miss thee, beloved father.
theft /θe ft/ (thefts ) N‑VAR [oft n N ] Theft is the crime of stealing. □ Art theft is now part of organised crime. [Also + of ]
their ◆◆◆ /ðeə r / Their is the third person plural possessive determiner. 1 DET You use their to indicate that something belongs or relates to the group of people, animals, or things that you are talking about. □ Janis and Kurt have announced their engagement. □ Horses were poking their heads over their stall doors.
2 DET You use their instead of 'his or her' to indicate that something belongs or relates to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people think this use is incorrect. □ Every member will receive their own 'Welcome to Labour' brochure.
theirs /ðeə r z/ Theirs is the third person plural possessive pronoun. 1 PRON You use theirs to indicate that something belongs or relates to the group of people, animals, or things that you are talking about. □ There was a big group of a dozen people at the table next to theirs. □ It would cost about £3000 to install a new heating system in a flat such as theirs.
2 PRON You use theirs instead of 'his or hers' to indicate that something belongs or relates to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people think this use is incorrect. □ If someone wanted it, it would be theirs for the taking.
them ◆◆◆ /ðəm, STRONG ðem/ Them is a third person plural pronoun. Them is used as the object of a verb or preposition. 1 PRON You use them to refer to a group of people, animals, or things. □ Kids these days have no one to tell them what's right and wrong. □ His dark socks, I could see, had a stripe on them.
2 PRON You use them instead of 'him or her' to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people think this use is incorrect. □ It takes great courage to face your child and tell them the truth.
3 DET In non-standard spoken English, them is sometimes used instead of 'those'. □ 'Our Billy doesn't eat them ones,' Helen said.
the|mat|ic /θiːmæ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Thematic means concerned with the subject or theme of something, or with themes and topics in general. [FORMAL ] □ …assembling this material into thematic groups. ● the|mati|cal|ly /θiːmæ t I kli/ ADV □ …a thematically-linked threesome of songs.
theme ◆◇◇ /θiː m/ (themes )
1 N‑COUNT A theme in a piece of writing, a talk, or a discussion is an important idea or subject that runs through it. □ [+ of ] The theme of the summit was women as 'agents of change'.
2 N‑COUNT A theme in an artist's work or in a work of literature is an idea in it that the artist or writer develops or repeats. □ The novel's central theme is the perennial conflict between men and women.
3 N‑COUNT A theme is a short simple tune on which a piece of music is based. □ …variations on themes from Mozart's The Magic Flute.
4 N‑COUNT [usu N n] Theme music or a theme song is a piece of music that is played at the beginning and end of a film or of a television or radio programme. □ [+ from ] …the theme from Dr Zhivago. SYNONYMS theme NOUN 1
subject: …steering the conversation round to his favourite subject.
topic: The main topic for discussion is political union.
motif: The motif of these volumes is that 'solitude is the richness of the soul, loneliness is its poverty.'
themed /θiː md/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A themed place or event has been created so that it shows a particular historical time or way of life, or tells a well-known story. [mainly BRIT ] □ …themed restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
the me park (theme parks ) N‑COUNT A theme park is a large outdoor area where people pay to go to enjoy themselves. All the different activities in a theme park are usually based on a particular idea or theme.
the me pub (theme pubs ) N‑COUNT A theme pub is a pub that has been decorated and furnished in a style that is often based on a particular country or type of activity. [mainly BRIT ] □ …Irish theme pubs.
them|self /ðəmse lf/ PRON Themself is sometimes used instead of 'themselves' when it clearly refers to a singular subject. Some people consider this use to be incorrect. □ No one perceived themself to be in a position to hire such a man.
them|selves ◆◆◆ /ðəmse lvz/ Themselves is the third person plural reflexive pronoun. 1 PRON You use themselves to refer to people, animals, or things when the object of a verb or preposition refers to the same people or things as the subject of the verb. □ They all seemed to be enjoying themselves. □ The men talked amongst themselves.
2 PRON You use themselves to emphasize the people or things that you are referring to. Themselves is also sometimes used instead of 'them' as the object of a verb or preposition. [EMPHASIS ] □ Many mentally ill people are themselves unhappy about the idea of community care.
3 PRON You use themselves instead of 'himself or herself' to refer back to the person who is the subject of a sentence without saying whether it is a man or a woman. Some people think this use is incorrect. □ What can a patient with emphysema do to help themselves?
4 PRON You use themselves instead of 'himself or herself' to emphasize the person you are referring to without saying whether it is a man or a woman. Themselves is also sometimes used as the object of a verb or preposition. Some people think this use is incorrect. [EMPHASIS ] □ Each student makes only one item themselves.
then ◆◆◆ /ðe n/
1 ADV Then means at a particular time in the past or in the future. □ He wanted an income after his retirement; until then, he wouldn't require additional money. □ The clinic opened for business last October and since then has treated more than 200 people.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Then is used when you refer to something which was true at a particular time in the past but is not true now. □ The bill was enacted by the then Labour Government. ● ADV Then is also an adverb. □ Richard Strauss, then 76 years old, suffered through the war years in silence.
3 ADV [ADV before v] You use then to say that one thing happens after another, or is after another on a list. □ Add the oil and then the scallops to the pan, leaving a little space for the garlic.
4 ADV You use then in conversation to indicate that what you are about to say follows logically in some way from what has just been said or implied. □ 'I wasn't a very good scholar at school.'—'What did you like doing best then?'
5 ADV You use then at the end of a topic or at the end of a conversation. □ 'I'll talk to you on Friday anyway.'—'Yep. Okay then.'
6 ADV [adv ADV ] You use then with words like 'now', 'well', and 'okay', to introduce a new topic or a new point of view. □ Now then, you say you walk on the fields out the back?
7 ADV You use then to introduce the second part of a sentence which begins with 'if'. The first part of the sentence describes a possible situation, and then introduces the result of the situation. □ If the answer is 'yes', then we must decide on an appropriate course of action.
8 ADV You use then at the beginning of a sentence or after 'and' or 'but' to introduce a comment or an extra piece of information to what you have already said. □ He sounded sincere, but then, he always did.
9 now and then → see now
10 there and then → see there
thence /ðe ns/
1 ADV [oft ADV before v] Thence means from a particular place, especially when you are giving directions about how to get somewhere. [FORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I ran straight up to Columbia County, then turned East, came down the Harlem Valley and thence home.
2 ADV [oft ADV before v] Thence is used to say that something changes from one state or condition to another. [FORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …the conversion of sunlight into heat and thence into electricity.
thence|forth /ðe nsfɔː r θ/ ADV Thenceforth means starting from a particular time in the past that you have mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ My life was totally different thenceforth.
the|oc|ra|cy /θiɒ krəsi/ (theocracies ) N‑VAR A theocracy is a society which is ruled by priests who represent a god. [TECHNICAL ]
theo|crat|ic /θiː əkræ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A theocratic society is ruled by priests who represent a god. [TECHNICAL ]
theo|lo|gian /θiː əloʊ dʒ ə n/ (theologians ) N‑COUNT A theologian is someone who studies the nature of God, religion, and religious beliefs.
the|ol|ogy /θiɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Theology is the study of the nature of God and of religion and religious beliefs. □ …questions of theology. ● theo|logi|cal /θiː əlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …theological books.
theo|rem /θiː ərəm/ (theorems ) N‑COUNT A theorem is a statement in mathematics or logic that can be proved to be true by reasoning.
theo|reti|cal /θiː əre t I k ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A theoretical study or explanation is based on or uses the ideas and abstract principles that relate to a particular subject, rather than the practical aspects or uses of it. □ …theoretical physics.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a situation as a theoretical one, you mean that although it is supposed to be true or to exist in the way stated, it may not in fact be true or exist in that way. □ This is certainly a theoretical risk but in practice there is seldom a problem.
theo|reti|cal|ly /θiː əre t I kəli/ ADV You use theoretically to say that although something is supposed to be true or to happen in the way stated, it may not in fact be true or happen in that way. □ Theoretically, the price is supposed to be marked on the shelf.
theo|reti|cian /θ I ə rət I ʃ ə n/ (theoreticians ) N‑COUNT A theoretician is the same as a theorist .
theo|rist /θiː ər I st/ (theorists ) N‑COUNT A theorist is someone who develops an abstract idea or set of ideas about a particular subject in order to explain it.
theo|rize /θiː əra I z/ (theorizes , theorizing , theorized ) in BRIT, also use theorise VERB If you theorize that something is true or theorize about it, you develop an abstract idea or set of ideas about something in order to explain it. □ [V that] Police are theorizing that the killers may be posing as hitchhikers. □ [V + about ] By studying the way people behave, we can theorize about what is going on in their mind. [Also V ] ● theo|riz|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ This was no time for theorizing.
theo|ry ◆◆◇ /θ I ə ri/ (theories )
1 N‑VAR A theory is a formal idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain something. □ [+ of ] Einstein formulated the Theory of Relativity in 1905.
2 N‑COUNT If you have a theory about something, you have your own opinion about it which you cannot prove but which you think is true. □ There was a theory that he wanted to marry her.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The theory of a practical subject or skill is the set of rules and principles that form the basis of it. □ He taught us music theory. [Also + of ]
4 PHRASE You use in theory to say that although something is supposed to be true or to happen in the way stated, it may not in fact be true or happen in that way. □ A school dental service exists in theory, but in practice, there are few dentists to work in it. COLLOCATIONS theory NOUN 1
noun + theory : chaos, quantum, relativity; management
adjective + theory : economic, evolutionary, Marxist, political; classical, linguistic, literary, scientific
verb + theory : apply, develop, formulate, test; challenge, dismiss, disprove, reject; prove, support
thera|peu|tic /θe rəpjuː t I k/
1 ADJ If something is therapeutic , it helps you to relax or to feel better about things, especially about a situation that made you unhappy. □ Astanga Yoga is a therapeutic physical exercise that focuses on breathing and relaxation.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Therapeutic treatment is designed to treat an illness or to improve a person's health, rather than to prevent an illness. [MEDICAL ] □ …therapeutic drugs.
thera|pist /θe rəp I st/ (therapists ) N‑COUNT A therapist is a person who is skilled in a particular type of therapy.
thera|py ◆◇◇ /θe rəpi/ (therapies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Therapy is the treatment of someone with mental or physical illness without the use of drugs or operations. □ He is having therapy to conquer his phobia.
2 N‑VAR A therapy is a particular treatment of someone with a particular illness. [MEDICAL ] □ …hormonal therapies. □ …conventional drug therapy. SYNONYMS therapy NOUN 2
remedy: …natural remedies to help overcome winter infections.
treatment: Many patients are not getting the medical treatment they need.
cure: There is still no cure for a cold.
there ◆◆◆ Pronounced /ðə r , STRONG ðeə r / for meanings 1 and 2 , and /ðeə r / for meanings 3 to 20 . 1 PRON There is used as the subject of the verb 'be' to say that something exists or does not exist, or to draw attention to it. □ There are roadworks between the two towns. □ Are there some countries that have been able to tackle these problems successfully? □ There were differences of opinion, he added, on very basic issues.
2 PRON You use there in front of certain verbs when you are saying that something exists, develops, or can be seen. Whether the verb is singular or plural depends on the noun which follows the verb. □ There remains considerable doubt over when the intended high-speed rail link will be complete. □ There appeared no imminent danger.
3 CONVENTION There is used after 'hello' or 'hi' when you are greeting someone. □ Oh, hi there. You must be Sidney.
4 ADV [be ADV , ADV to-inf] If something is there , it exists or is available. □ The group of old buildings on the corner by the main road is still there today. □ [+ for ] The book is there for people to read and make up their own mind.
5 ADV [be ADV , ADV with v, n ADV ] You use there to refer to a place which has already been mentioned. □ The next day we drove the 33 miles to Siena (the Villa Arceno is a great place to stay while you are there) for the Palio. □ 'Come on over, if you want.'—'How do I get there?' □ It's an amazing train trip, about five days there and back.
6 ADV [ADV with be , ADV after v] You use there to indicate a place that you are pointing to or looking at, in order to draw someone's attention to it. □ There it is, on the corner over there. □ There she is on the left up there. □ The toilets are over there, dear.
7 ADV You use there in expressions such as ' there he was ' or ' there we were ' to sum up part of a story or to slow a story down for dramatic effect. [SPOKEN ] □ So there we were with Amy and she was driving us crazy.
8 ADV [ADV with be ] You use there when speaking on the phone to ask if someone is available to speak to you. □ Hello, is Gordon there please?
9 ADV [ADV after v] You use there to refer to a point that someone has made in a conversation. □ I think you're right there John.
10 ADV You use there to refer to a stage that has been reached in an activity or process. □ We are making further investigations and will take the matter from there.
11 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] You use there to indicate that something has reached a point or level which is completely successful. □ We had hoped to fill the back page with extra news; we're not quite there yet. □ Life has not yet returned to normal but we are getting there.
12 ADV You can use there in expressions such as there you go or there we are when accepting that an unsatisfactory situation cannot be changed. [SPOKEN ] □ I'm the oldest and, according to all the books, should be the achiever, but there you go.
13 ADV You can use there in expressions such as there you go and there we are when emphasizing that something proves that you were right. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ There you go. I knew you'd take it the wrong way.
14 PHRASE You use there again to introduce an extra piece of information which either contradicts what has been said or gives an alternative to it. □ At 18 stone, I can't run around the way I used to. There again, some people say I never did.
15 PHRASE Phrases such as there you go again are used to show annoyance at someone who is repeating something that has annoyed you in the past. [SPOKEN ] □ 'There you go again, upsetting the child!' said Shirley.
16 PHRASE You can add ' so there ' to what you are saying to show that you will not change your mind about a decision you have made, even though the person you are talking to disagrees with you. [INFORMAL ] □ I think that's sweet, so there.
17 PHRASE If something happens there and then or then and there , it happens immediately. □ Many felt that he should have resigned there and then.
18 CONVENTION You say ' there there ' to someone who is very upset, especially a small child, in order to comfort them. [SPOKEN ] □ 'There, there,' said Mum. 'You've been having a really bad dream.'
19 CONVENTION You say ' there you are ' or ' there you go ' when you are offering something to someone. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ Nora picked up the boy, and gave him a biscuit. 'There you are, Lennie, you take the nice biscuit.'
20 PHRASE If someone is there for you, they help and support you, especially when you have problems. [INFORMAL ] □ Despite what happened in the past I want her to know I am there for her. USAGE there
1
Don’t use ‘there is’ or ‘there are’ with since
to say how long ago something happened. Don’t say, for example, ‘
There are four days since she arrived in London
’. Say ‘It’s
four days since she arrived in London’ or ‘She arrived in London four days ago
’. □
It’s
three months since you were here last.
2
Don’t use ‘to’ in front of there
. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I like going to there
’. Say ‘I like going there
’. □
My family live in India. I still go there
often.
there|abouts /ðeə rəbaʊ ts/ PHRASE You add or thereabouts after a number or date to indicate that it is approximate. □ He told us that her age was forty-eight or thereabouts.
there|after /ðeə rɑː ftə r , -æ ftə r / ADV Thereafter means after the event or date mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ It was the only time she had ever discouraged him and she regretted it thereafter.
there|by /ðeə r ba I / ADV You use thereby to introduce an important result or consequence of the event or action you have just mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ Our bodies can sweat, thereby losing heat by evaporation.
there|fore ◆◆◇ /ðeə r fɔː r / ADV You use therefore to introduce a logical result or conclusion. □ Muscle cells need lots of fuel and therefore burn lots of calories. SYNONYMS therefore ADV
consequently: Relations between the two companies had, consequently, never been close.
thus: …women's access to the basic means of production and thus to political power.
so: I was an only child, and so had no experience of large families.
hence: The Socialist Party was profoundly divided and hence very weak.
there|in /ðeə r I n/
1 ADV [n ADV ] Therein means contained in the place that has been mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ Burning pine branches not only warms your house but improves the smell therein.
2 ADV [n ADV ] Therein means relating to something that has just been mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ Afternoon groups relate to the specific addictions and problems therein.
3 PHRASE When you say therein lies a situation or problem, you mean that an existing situation has caused that situation or problem. [FORMAL or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Santa Maria di Castellabate is barely mentioned in guidebooks; therein lies its charm.
there|of /ðeərɒ v/ ADV [n ADV ] Thereof is used after a noun to relate that noun to a situation or thing that you have just mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ …his belief in God–or the lack thereof.
there|on /ðeərɒ n/
1 ADV [ADV after v] Thereon means on the object or surface just mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ There was a card on each door with a guest's name inscribed thereon.
2 ADV [n ADV , ADV after v] Thereon can be used to refer back to a thing that has previously been mentioned to show that the word just used relates to that thing. [FORMAL ] □ You will, in addition, pay to the Bank any losses, costs, expenses or legal fees (including VAT thereon).
there|upon /ðeə rəpɒ n/ ADV Thereupon means happening immediately after something else has happened and usually as a result of it. [FORMAL ] □ Ursula had refused to marry Attila the Hun, who thereupon ordered one of his archers to shoot her.
therm /θɜː r m/ (therms ) N‑COUNT [num N ] A therm is a measurement of heat.
ther|mal /θɜː r m ə l/ (thermals )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Thermal means relating to or caused by heat or by changes in temperature. □ …thermal power stations.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Thermal streams or baths contain water which is naturally hot or warm. □ Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Thermal clothes are specially designed to keep you warm in cold weather. □ My feet were like blocks of ice despite the thermal socks. ● N‑PLURAL Thermals are thermal clothes. □ Have you got your thermals on?
4 N‑COUNT A thermal is a movement of rising warm air. □ Birds use thermals to lift them through the air.
the r|mal i m|ag|ing N‑UNCOUNT Thermal imaging is the use of special equipment that can detect the heat produced by people or things and use it to produce images of them. □ He was found by a police helicopter using thermal imaging equipment.
ther|mo /θɜː r moʊ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Thermo means using or relating to heat. □ The main thermo power station in the area has been damaged. ● COMB Thermo is also a combining form. □ …the dangers of thermo-nuclear war.
2 COMB Thermo also combines to form nouns. □ The body is made of mineral-reinforced thermo-plastic.
ther|mo|dy|nam|ics /θɜː r moʊda I næ m I ks/ The form thermodynamic is used as a modifier. N‑UNCOUNT Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that is concerned with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy.
ther|mom|eter /θə r mɒ m I tə r / (thermometers ) N‑COUNT A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. It usually consists of a narrow glass tube containing a thin column of a liquid which rises and falls as the temperature rises and falls.
ther|mo|nu|clear /θɜː r moʊnjuː kliə r , [AM ] -nuː k-/ also thermo-nuclear ADJ [ADJ n] A thermonuclear weapon or device is one which uses the high temperatures that result from a nuclear reaction in order to cause it to explode.
ther|mo|plas|tic /θɜː r moʊplæst I k/ (thermoplastics ) N‑COUNT [usu N n] Thermoplastic materials are types of plastic which become soft when they are heated and hard when they cool down.
Ther|mos /θɜː r mɒs/ (Thermoses ) N‑COUNT A Thermos , Thermos flask , or in American English Thermos bottle , is a container which is used to keep hot drinks hot or cold drinks cold. It has two thin shiny glass walls with no air between them. [TRADEMARK ]
ther|mo|stat /θɜː r məstæt/ (thermostats ) N‑COUNT A thermostat is a device that switches a system or motor on or off according to the temperature. Thermostats are used, for example, in central heating systems and fridges.
the|sau|rus /θ I sɔː rəs/ (thesauruses ) N‑COUNT A thesaurus is a reference book in which words with similar meanings are grouped together.
these ◆◆◆ The determiner is pronounced /ðiːz/. The pronoun is pronounced /ðiː z/. 1 DET You use these at the beginning of noun groups to refer to someone or something that you have already mentioned or identified. □ Switch to an interest-paying current account. Most banks now offer these accounts. □ A steering committee has been formed. These people can make decisions much more quickly. ● PRON These is also a pronoun. □ AIDS kills mostly young people. These are the people who contribute most to a country's economic development.
2 DET You use these to introduce people or things that you are going to talk about. □ Look for an account with these features: simple fees; online or phone access to account information. ● PRON These is also a pronoun. □ These are some of the things you can do for yourself.
3 DET In spoken English, people use these to introduce people or things into a story. □ I was on my own and these fellows came along towards me.
4 PRON You use these when you are identifying someone or asking about their identity. □ These are my children.
5 DET You use these to refer to people or things that are near you, especially when you touch them or point to them. □ These scissors are awfully heavy. ● PRON These is also a pronoun. □ These are the people who are doing our loft conversion for us.
6 DET You use these when you refer to something which you expect the person you are talking to to know about, or when you are checking that you are both thinking of the same person or thing. □ You know these last few months when we've been expecting it to warm up a little bit?
7 DET You use these in the expression these days to mean 'at the present time'. □ Living in Bootham these days can be depressing.
the|sis /θiː s I s/ (theses /θiː siːz/)
1 N‑COUNT A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in a logical way. □ This thesis does not stand up to close inspection.
2 N‑COUNT A thesis is a long piece of writing based on your own ideas and research that you do as part of a university degree, especially a higher degree such as a PhD.
thes|pian /θe spiən/ (thespians )
1 N‑COUNT A thespian is an actor or actress. [HUMOROUS or OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Thespian means relating to drama and the theatre. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
they ◆◆◆ /ðe I / They is a third person plural pronoun. They is used as the subject of a verb. 1 PRON You use they to refer to a group of people, animals, or things. □ The two men were far more alike than they would ever admit. □ People matter because of what they are, not what they have.
2 PRON You use they instead of 'he or she' to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people think this use is incorrect. □ The teacher is not responsible for this. They are only there to help the student learn.
3 PRON You use they in expressions such as 'they say' or 'they call it' to refer to people in general when you are making general statements about what people say, think, or do. [VAGUENESS ] □ They say there are plenty of opportunities out there. USAGE they
Don’t use ‘they’ with are
to say that a number of things exist or are in a particular place. Don’t say, for example, ‘
They are two bottles of juice in the fridge
’. Say ‘There are
two bottles of juice in the fridge’. □
There are
always plenty of jobs to be done.
they'd /ðe I d/
1 They'd is a spoken form of 'they had', especially when 'had' is an auxiliary verb. □ They'd both lived in this road all their lives.
2 They'd is a spoken form of 'they would'. □ He agreed that they'd visit her after they stopped at Jan's for coffee.
they'll /ðe I əl/ They'll is the usual spoken form of 'they will'. □ They'll probably be here Monday and Tuesday.
they're /ðeə r , ðe I ə r / They're is the usual spoken form of 'they are'. □ People eat when they're depressed.
they've /ðe I v/ They've is the usual spoken form of 'they have', especially when 'have' is an auxiliary verb. □ The worst thing is when you call friends and they've gone out.
thick ◆◇◇ /θ I k/ (thicker , thickest )
1 ADJ Something that is thick has a large distance between its two opposite sides. □ For breakfast I had a thick slice of bread and syrup. □ This material is very thick and this needle is not strong enough to go through it. ● thick|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Slice the meat thickly.
2 ADJ [n ADJ ] [as ADJ as ] You can use thick to talk or ask about how wide or deep something is. □ The folder was two inches thick. □ How thick are these walls? ● COMB [ADJ n] Thick is also a combining form. □ His life was saved by a quarter-inch-thick bullet-proof steel screen. ● thick|ness (thicknesses ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] The size of the fish will determine the thickness of the steaks.
3 ADJ If something that consists of several things is thick , it has a large number of them very close together. □ She inherited our father's thick, wavy hair. □ They walked through thick forest. ● thick|ly ADV [ADV after v, oft ADV -ed] □ I rounded a bend where the trees and brush grew thickly.
4 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If something is thick with another thing, the first thing is full of or covered with the second. □ [+ with ] The air is thick with acrid smoke from the fires.
5 ADJ Thick clothes are made from heavy cloth, so that they will keep you warm in cold weather. □ In the winter she wears thick socks, Wellington boots and gloves.
6 ADJ Thick smoke, fog, or cloud is difficult to see through. □ The smoke was bluish-black and thick.
7 ADJ Thick liquids are fairly stiff and solid and do not flow easily. □ They had to battle through thick mud to reach construction workers.
8 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone's voice is thick , they are not speaking clearly, for example because they are ill, upset, or drunk. □ [+ with ] When he spoke his voice was thick with bitterness. ● thick|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'It's all my fault,' he mumbled thickly.
9 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A thick accent is very obvious and easy to identify. □ He answered our questions in English but with a thick accent.
10 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as thick , you think they are stupid. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ How could she have been so thick?
11 PHRASE If things happen thick and fast , they happen very quickly and in large numbers. □ The rumours have been coming thick and fast.
12 PHRASE If you are in the thick of an activity or situation, you are very involved in it. □ I enjoy being in the thick of things.
13 PHRASE If you do something through thick and thin , you do it although the conditions or circumstances are very bad. □ She'd stuck by Bob through thick and thin.
14 a thick skin → see skin
thick|en /θ I kən/ (thickens , thickening , thickened )
1 VERB When you thicken a liquid or when it thickens , it becomes stiffer and more solid. □ [V n] Thicken the broth with the cornflour. □ [V ] Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.
2 VERB If something thickens , it becomes more closely grouped together or more solid than it was before. □ [V ] The crowds around him began to thicken.
3 PHRASE People sometimes say ' the plot thickens ' when a situation or series of events is getting more and more complicated and mysterious. □ 'Find anything?' he asked. 'Yeah. The plot thickens,' I said.
thick|en|er /θ I kənə r / (thickeners ) N‑VAR A thickener is a substance that is added to a liquid in order to make it stiffer and more solid. □ …cornstarch, used as a thickener. □ How much thickener is used?
thick|et /θ I k I t/ (thickets ) N‑COUNT A thicket is a small group of trees or bushes which are growing closely together.
thick|set /θ I kse t/ also thick-set ADJ A man who is thickset is broad and heavy, with a solid-looking body. □ He was of middle height, thick-set. □ …his stout, thickset figure.
thi ck-ski nned ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is thick-skinned , you mean that they are not easily upset by criticism or unpleasantness. □ He was thick-skinned enough to cope with her taunts.
thief /θiː f/ (thieves /θiː vz/) N‑COUNT A thief is a person who steals something from another person. □ The thieves snatched the camera. □ …car thieves.
thiev|ing /θiː v I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Thieving is the act of stealing things from people. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …an ex-con who says he's given up thieving.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Thieving means involved in stealing things or intending to steal something. □ A thieving postman has been jailed for ripping open parcels.
thigh /θa I / (thighs ) N‑COUNT Your thighs are the top parts of your legs, between your knees and your hips.
thim|ble /θ I mb ə l/ (thimbles ) N‑COUNT A thimble is a small metal or plastic object which you use to protect your finger when you are sewing.
thin ◆◇◇ /θ I n/ (thinner , thinnest , thins , thinning , thinned )
1 ADJ Something that is thin is much narrower than it is long. □ A thin cable carries the signal to a computer. □ James's face was thin, finely boned, and sensitive.
2 ADJ A person or animal that is thin has no extra fat on their body . □ He was a tall, thin man with grey hair. ● thin|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There was something familiar about him, his fawn raincoat, his thinness, the way he moved.
3 ADJ Something such as paper or cloth that is thin is flat and has only a very small distance between its two opposite surfaces. □ …a small, blue-bound book printed in fine type on thin paper. ● thin|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Peel and thinly slice the onion.
4 ADJ Liquids that are thin are weak and watery. □ The soup was thin and clear, yet mysteriously rich.
5 ADJ A crowd or audience that is thin does not have many people in it. □ The crowd, which had been thin for the first half of the race, had now grown considerably. ● thin|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ The island is thinly populated.
6 ADJ Thin clothes are made from light cloth and are not warm to wear. □ Her gown was thin, and she shivered, partly from cold. ● thin|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ Mrs Brown wrapped the thinly clad man in her coat.
7 ADJ If you describe an argument or explanation as thin , you mean that it is weak and difficult to believe. □ However, the evidence is thin and, to some extent, ambiguous. ● thin|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed, oft ADV before v] □ Much of the speech was a thinly disguised attack on the management of the company.
8 ADJ If someone's hair is described as thin , they do not have a lot of hair. □ She had pale thin yellow hair she pulled back into a bun.
9 VERB When you thin something or when it thins , it becomes less crowded because people or things have been removed from it. □ [V n] Reduce the wind resistance by thinning the tree's canopy. □ [V ] By midnight the crowd had thinned. ● PHRASAL VERB Thin out means the same as thin . □ [V P n] NATO will continue to thin out its forces. □ [V P ] When the crowd began to thin out, I realized that most of the food was still there. [Also V n P ]
10 VERB To thin a sauce or liquid means to make it weaker and more watery by adding another liquid to it. □ [V n] It may be necessary to thin the sauce slightly. ● PHRASAL VERB Thin down means the same as thin . □ [V P n] Thin down your mayonnaise with soured cream or natural yoghurt.
11 VERB If a man's hair is thinning , it has begun to fall out. □ [V ] His hair is thinning and his skin has lost all hint of youth.
12 PHRASE If someone's patience, for example, is wearing thin , they are beginning to become impatient or angry with someone. □ Parliament has not tackled the economic crisis, and public patience is wearing thin.
13 on thin ice → see ice
14 thin air → see air
▸ thin down → see thin 12
▸ thin out → see thin 11
thine /ða I n/ PRON Thine is an old-fashioned, poetic, or religious word for 'yours' when you are talking to only one person. □ I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice.
thing ◆◆◆ /θ I ŋ/ (things )
1 N‑COUNT You can use thing to refer to any object, feature, or event when you cannot, need not, or do not want to refer to it more precisely. □ 'What's that thing in the middle of the fountain?'—'Some kind of statue, I guess.' □ She was in the middle of clearing the breakfast things. □ If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? □ A strange thing happened.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Thing is used in lists and descriptions to give examples or to increase the range of what you are referring to. □ These are genetic disorders. They are things like muscular dystrophy and haemophilia. □ The Earth is made mainly of iron and silicon and things like that.
3 N‑COUNT [adj N ] Thing is often used after an adjective, where it would also be possible just to use the adjective. For example, you can say it's a different thing instead of it's different . □ To be a parent is a terribly difficult thing.
4 N‑SING Thing is often used instead of the pronouns 'anything,' or 'everything' in order to emphasize what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ It isn't going to solve a single thing. □ Don't you worry about a thing.
5 N‑COUNT Thing is used in expressions such as such a thing or things like that , especially in negative statements, in order to emphasize the bad or difficult situation you are referring back to. [EMPHASIS ] □ I don't believe he would tell Leo such a thing.
6 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] You can use thing to refer in a vague way to a situation, activity, or idea, especially when you want to suggest that it is not very important. [INFORMAL , VAGUENESS ] □ I'm a bit unsettled tonight. This war thing's upsetting me.
7 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] You often use thing to indicate to the person you are addressing that you are about to mention something important, or something that you particularly want them to know. □ One thing I am sure of was that she was scared. □ The funny thing is that the rest of us have known that for years.
8 N‑COUNT Thing is often used to refer back to something that has just been mentioned, either to emphasize it or to give more information about it. □ I never wanted to be normal. It was not a thing I ever thought desirable.
9 N‑COUNT A thing is a physical object that is considered as having no life of its own. □ It's not a thing, Beauchamp. It's a human being!
10 N‑COUNT Thing is used to refer to something, especially a physical object, when you want to express contempt or anger towards it. [SPOKEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Turn that thing off!
11 N‑COUNT [adj N ] You can call a person or an animal a particular thing when you want to mention a particular quality that they have and express your feelings towards them, usually affectionate feelings. [INFORMAL ] □ You really are quite a clever little thing.
12 N‑PLURAL Your things are your clothes or possessions. □ Sara told him to take all his things and not to return.
13 N‑PLURAL Things can refer to the situation or life in general and the way it is changing or affecting you. □ Everyone agrees things are getting better.
14 N‑SING [oft N to-inf] If you say that something is the thing , you mean that it is fashionable or popular. □ I feel under pressure to go out and get drunk because it's the thing to do.
15 PHRASE If, for example, you do the right thing or do the decent thing in a situation, you do something which is considered correct or socially acceptable in that situation. □ People want to do the right thing and buy 'green'. □ Carrington did the honourable thing and resigned.
16 PHRASE If you say that something is the done thing , you mean it is the most socially acceptable way to behave. [BRIT ] □ It was not the done thing. In those days the man was supposed to be the provider.
17 PHRASE If you do something first thing , you do it at the beginning of the day, before you do anything else. If you do it last thing , you do it at the end of the day, before you go to bed or go to sleep. □ I'll go see her, first thing. □ I always do it last thing on a Saturday.
18 PHRASE If you have a thing about someone or something, you have very strong feelings about them. [INFORMAL ] □ I had always had a thing about red hair. □ He's got this thing about ties.
19 PHRASE You say it is a good thing to do something to introduce a piece of advice or a comment on a situation or activity. □ Can you tell me whether it is a good thing to prune an apple tree?
20 PHRASE If you make a thing of something or make a thing about it, you talk about it or do it in an exaggerated way, so that it seems much more important than it really is. [INFORMAL ] □ Gossips made a big thing about him going on shopping trips with her.
21 PHRASE You can say that the first of two ideas, actions, or situations is one thing when you want to contrast it with a second idea, action, or situation and emphasize that the second one is much more difficult, important, or extreme. [EMPHASIS ] □ It was one thing to talk about leaving; it was another to physically walk out the door.
22 PHRASE You can say for one thing when you are explaining a statement or answering a question, to suggest that you are not giving the whole explanation or answer, and that there are other points that you could add to it. □ She was a monster. For one thing, she really enjoyed cruelty.
23 PHRASE You can use the expression ' one thing and another ' to suggest that there are several reasons for something or several items on a list, but you are not going to explain or mention them all. [SPOKEN ] □ What with one thing and another, it was fairly late in the day when we returned to Shrewsbury.
24 PHRASE If you say it is just one of those things you mean that you cannot explain something because it seems to happen by chance. □ 'I wonder why.' Mr. Dambar shrugged. 'It must be just one of those things, I guess.'
25 PHRASE You say one thing led to another when you are explaining how something happened, but you do not really want to give the details or you think people will be able to imagine the details. □ He came by to see if she was lonely. One thing led to another and he stayed the night.
26 PHRASE If you do your own thing , you live, act, or behave in the way you want to, without paying attention to convention or depending on other people. [INFORMAL ] □ We accept the right of all men and women to do their own thing, however bizarre.
27 PHRASE If something is a thing of the past , it no longer exists or happens, or is being replaced by something new.
28 PHRASE [usu cont] If you say that someone is seeing or hearing things , you mean that they believe they are seeing or hearing something that is not really there. □ Dr Payne led Lana back into the examination room and told her she was seeing things.
29 PHRASE You can say there is no such thing as something to emphasize that it does not exist or is not possible. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ as ] There really is no such thing as a totally risk-free industry.
30 PHRASE You say the thing is to introduce an explanation, comment, or opinion, that relates to something that has just been said. The thing is is often used to identify a problem relating to what has just been said. [SPOKEN ] □ 'What does your market research consist of?'—'Well, the thing is, it depends on our target age group.'
31 PHRASE If you say that something is just the thing or is the very thing , you are emphasizing that it is exactly what is wanted or needed. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ for ] Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack.
32 PHRASE If you say that a person knows a thing or two about something or could teach someone a thing or two about it, you mean that they know a lot about it or are good at it. □ [+ about ] Patricia Hewitt knows a thing or two about how to be well-organised. □ The peace movement has learnt a thing or two from Vietnam.
33 other things being equal → see equal
34 first things first → see first
35 the real thing → see real
36 the shape of things to come → see shape
thingum|my /θ I ŋəmi/ (thingummies ) N‑COUNT You refer to something or someone as thingummy , thingummyjig or thingummybob when you do not know or cannot be bothered to use the proper word or name for them. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ I once bought a thingummy out of one of those catalogues. □ I must say, I mean, it sounded like er thingummyjig all over again without the politics.
thingy /θ I ŋi/ (thingies ) N‑COUNT You refer to something or someone as thingy when you do not know or cannot be bothered to use the proper word or name for them. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ …the new phone thingy. □ …what's his name, Sir Jack Thingy.
think ◆◆◆ /θ I ŋk/ (thinks , thinking , thought )
1 VERB [no cont] If you think that something is the case, you have the opinion that it is the case. □ [V that] I certainly think there should be a ban on tobacco advertising. □ [be V -ed that] A generation ago, it was thought that babies born this small could not survive. □ [V + of/about ] Tell me, what do you think of my theory? □ [V ] Peter is useless, far worse than I thought. □ [V adj] He manages a good deal better than I thought possible. □ [V so ] 'It ought to be stopped.'—'Yes, I think so.' [Also V n to-inf]
2 VERB [no cont] If you say that you think that something is true or will happen, you mean that you have the impression that it is true or will happen, although you are not certain of the facts. □ [V that] Nora thought he was seventeen years old. □ [be V -ed to-inf] The storm is thought to be responsible for as many as four deaths. □ [V so ] 'Did Mr Stevens ever mention her to you?'—'No, I don't think so.'
3 VERB [no cont, no passive] If you think in a particular way, you have those general opinions or attitudes. □ [V + like ] You were probably brought up to think like that. □ [V + as/like ] If you think as I do, vote as I do. □ [V n] I don't blame you for thinking that way.
4 VERB When you think about ideas or problems, you make a mental effort to consider them. □ [V ] She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to think. □ [V + about ] I have often thought about this problem. □ [V wh] Let's think what we can do. □ [V wh-to-inf] We had to think what to do next. ● N‑SING Think is also a noun. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ about ] I'll have a think about that.
5 VERB [no passive] If you think in a particular way, you consider things, solve problems, or make decisions in this way, for example because of your job or your background. □ [V prep] To make the computer work at full capacity, the programmer has to think like the machine. □ [V n] The referee has to think the way the players do.
6 VERB [no cont] If you think of something, it comes into your mind or you remember it. □ [V + of ] Nobody could think of anything to say. □ [V wh] I was trying to think what else we had to do.
7 VERB If you think of an idea, you make a mental effort and use your imagination and intelligence to create it or develop it. □ [V + of ] He thought of another way of getting out of the agreement.
8 VERB [no passive] If you are thinking something at a particular moment, you have words or ideas in your mind without saying them out loud. □ [V with quote] She must be ill, Tatiana thought. □ [V wh] I remember thinking how lovely he looked. □ [V n] I'm trying to think positive thoughts. [Also V that]
9 VERB [no cont] If you think of someone or something as having a particular quality or purpose, you regard them as having this quality or purpose. □ [V + of ] We all thought of him as a father. □ [V n adj] Nobody had thought him capable of that kind of thing.
10 VERB [no cont] If you think a lot of someone or something, you admire them very much or think they are very good. □ [V amount + of ] To tell the truth, I don't think much of psychiatrists. □ [V adv + of ] People at the club think very highly of him.
11 VERB If you think of someone, you show consideration for them and pay attention to their needs. □ [V + of ] I'm only thinking of you. □ [V + about ] You don't have to think about me and Hugh.
12 VERB If you are thinking of taking a particular course of action, you are considering it as a possible course of action. □ [V + of ] Martin was thinking of taking legal action against Zuckerman.
13 VERB [usu cont] You can say that you are thinking of a particular aspect or subject, in order to introduce an example or explain more exactly what you are talking about. □ [V + of ] I'm primarily thinking of the first year.
14 VERB [only interrogative] You use think in questions where you are expressing your anger or shock at someone's behaviour. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + of ] What were you thinking of? You shouldn't steal.
15 VERB [no cont, no passive] You use think when you are commenting on something which you did or experienced in the past and which now seems surprising, foolish, or shocking to you. □ [V that] To think I left you alone in a place with a madman at large! □ [V + of ] When I think of how you've behaved and the trouble you've got into!
16 VERB [no cont] You can use think in expressions such as you would think or I would have thought when you are criticizing someone because they ought to or could be expected to do something, but have not done it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V that] You'd think you'd remember to wash your ears. □ [V so ] 'Surely to God she should have been given some proper help.'—'Well I would have thought so.' [Also V ]
17 VERB [no cont] You can use think in expressions such as anyone would think and you would think to express your surprise or disapproval at the way someone is behaving. □ [V that] Anyone would think you were in love with the girl.
18 → see also thinking , thought
19 PHRASE You use expressions such as come to think of it , when you think about it , or thinking about it , when you mention something that you have suddenly remembered or realized. □ He was her distant relative, as was everyone else on the island, come to think of it.
20 PHRASE You use ' I think ' as a way of being polite when you are explaining or suggesting to someone what you want to do, or when you are accepting or refusing an offer. [POLITENESS ] □ I think I'll go home and have a shower. □ We need a job, and I thought we could go around and ask if people need odd jobs done.
21 PHRASE You use ' I think ' in conversations or speeches to make your statements and opinions sound less forceful, rude, or direct. [VAGUENESS ] □ I think he means 'at' rather than 'to'. □ Thanks, but I think I can handle it.
22 PHRASE You say just think when you feel excited, fascinated, or shocked by something, and you want the person to whom you are talking to feel the same. □ Just think; tomorrow we shall walk out of this place and leave it all behind us forever.
23 PHRASE If you think again about an action or decision, you consider it very carefully, often with the result that you change your mind and decide to do things differently. □ [+ about ] It has forced politicians to think again about the wisdom of trying to evacuate refugees.
24 PHRASE If you think nothing of doing something that other people might consider difficult, strange, or wrong, you consider it to be easy or normal, and you do it often or would be quite willing to do it. □ I thought nothing of betting £1,000 on a horse.
25 PHRASE If something happens and you think nothing of it , you do not pay much attention to it or think of it as strange or important, although later you realize that it is. □ When she went off to see her parents for the weekend I thought nothing of it.
26 you can't hear yourself think → see hear
27 to shudder to think → see shudder
28 to think better of it → see better
29 to think big → see big
30 to think twice → see twice
31 to think the world of someone → see world
▸ think back PHRASAL VERB If you think back , you make an effort to remember things that happened to you in the past. □ [V P prep] I thought back to the time in 1975 when my son was desperately ill. □ [V P ] Thinking back, I don't know how I had the courage.
▸ think out PHRASAL VERB If you think something out , you consider all the aspects and details of it before doing anything or making a decision. □ [V n P ] I need time alone to think things out. □ [V -ed P ] The book is detailed and well thought out. □ [V P n] He chewed at the end of his pencil, thinking out the next problem.
▸ think over PHRASAL VERB If you think something over , you consider it carefully before making a decision. □ [V n P ] She said she needs time to think it over. □ [V P n] I suggest you think over your position very carefully.
▸ think through PHRASAL VERB If you think a situation through , you consider it thoroughly, together with all its possible effects or consequences. □ [V P n] I didn't think through the consequences of promotion. □ [V n P ] It was the first time she'd had a chance to think it through.
▸ think up PHRASAL VERB If you think something up , for example an idea or plan, you invent it using mental effort. □ [V P n] Julian has been thinking up new ways of raising money. □ [V n P ] 'Where do you get that idea about the piano?'—'Well, I just thought it up.' SYNONYMS think VERB 2
consider: I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural.
reckon: He reckoned he was still fond of her.
believe: Experts believe that the coming drought will be extensive.
imagine: I imagine you're referring to Jean-Paul Sartre.
think|er /θ I ŋkə r / (thinkers ) N‑COUNT A thinker is a person who spends a lot of time thinking deeply about important things, especially someone who is famous for thinking of new or interesting ideas.
think|ing ◆◆◇ /θ I ŋk I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] The general ideas or opinions of a person or group can be referred to as their thinking . □ There was undeniably a strong theoretical dimension to his thinking.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Thinking is the activity of using your brain by considering a problem or possibility or creating an idea. □ This is a time of decisive action and quick thinking.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as a thinking man or woman, you mean that they are intelligent and take an interest in important events and issues, and you approve of this. [APPROVAL ] □ Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book. □ A newspaper called him 'the thinking man's Tory'.
4 → see also wishful thinking
5 PHRASE Blue-sky thinking is the activity of trying to find completely new ideas. □ Some consultants are good at blue-sky thinking but cannot translate that into practical change.
thi nk piece (think pieces ) also think-piece N‑COUNT A think piece is an article in a newspaper or magazine that discusses a particular subject in a serious and thoughtful way.
thi nk-tank (think-tanks ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A think-tank is a group of experts who are gathered together by an organization, especially by a government, in order to consider various problems and try and work out ways to solve them. □ …Moscow's leading foreign policy think-tank.
thi n-ski nned ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is thin-skinned , you mean that they are easily upset by criticism or unpleasantness. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Some fear he is too thin-skinned to survive the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign.
third ◆◆◇ /θɜː r d/ (thirds )
1 ORD The third item in a series is the one that you count as number three. □ I sleep on the third floor. □ It was the third time one of his cars had gone up in flames.
2 FRACTION A third is one of three equal parts of something. □ A third of the cost went into technology and services.
3 ADV You say third when you want to make a third point or give a third reason for something. □ First, interest rates may take longer to fall. Second, lending may fall. Third, bad loans could wipe out any improvement.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A third is the lowest honours degree that can be obtained from a British university.
thi rd-cla ss ADJ [ADJ n] A third-class degree is the lowest honours degree that can be obtained from a British university.
thi rd-degree
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Third-degree burns are very severe, destroying tissue under the skin. □ He suffered third-degree burns over 98 per cent of his body.
2 N‑SING If you say that someone has been given the third degree , you mean that they have been questioned or criticized severely. [INFORMAL ] □ She's phoned to complain and you're suddenly being given the third degree.
third|ly /θɜː r dli/ ADV You use thirdly when you want to make a third point or give a third reason for something. □ First of all, there are not many of them, and secondly, they have little money and, thirdly, they have few big businesses.
thi rd pa r|ty (third parties )
1 N‑COUNT A third party is someone who is not one of the main people involved in a business agreement or legal case, but who is involved in it in a minor role. □ You can instruct your bank to allow a third party to remove money from your account.
2 ADJ Third-party insurance is a type of insurance that pays money to people who are hurt or whose property is damaged as a result of something you have done. It does not pay you any money for damage you suffer as a result of your own actions. [BRIT ] □ Premiums for third-party cover are set to rise by up to 25 per cent.
thi rd pe r|son N‑SING In grammar, a statement in the third person is a statement about another person or thing, and not directly about yourself or about the person you are talking to. The subject of a statement like this is 'he', 'she', 'it', or a name or noun.
thi rd-ra te ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as third-rate , you mean that it is of a very poor quality or standard. □ …a third-rate movie.
Thi rd Wa y N‑SING The Third Way is used to refer to a set of political beliefs and principles that is neither extremely right-wing nor extremely left-wing.
Thi rd Wo rld ◆◇◇ N‑PROPER [N n] The countries of Africa, Asia, and South America are sometimes referred to all together as the Third World , especially those parts that are poor, do not have much power, and are not considered to be highly developed. Compare First World . □ …development in the Third World. □ …Third World debt.
thirst /θɜː r st/ (thirsts , thirsting , thirsted )
1 N‑VAR Thirst is the feeling that you need to drink something. □ Instead of tea or coffee, drink water to quench your thirst. □ I had such a thirst.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Thirst is the condition of not having enough to drink. □ They died of thirst on the voyage.
3 N‑SING A thirst for something is a very strong desire for that thing. □ [+ for ] Children show a real thirst for learning.
4 VERB If you say that someone thirsts for something, you mean that they have a strong desire for it. [LITERARY ] □ [V + for/after ] We all thirst for the same things.
thirsty /θɜː r sti/ (thirstier , thirstiest )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are thirsty , you feel a need to drink something. □ Drink whenever you feel thirsty during exercise. ● thirsti|ly /θɜː r st I li/ ADV [ADV after v] □ The child nodded, drinking her milk thirstily.
2 ADJ If you are thirsty for something, you have a strong desire for it. [LITERARY ] □ [+ for ] People should understand how thirsty for revenge they are.
thir|teen ◆◆◆ /θɜː r tiː n/ (thirteens ) NUM Thirteen is the number 13. □ Thirteen people died in the accident.
thir|teenth ◆◆◇ /θɜː r tiː nθ/ (thirteenths )
1 ORD The thirteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number thirteen. □ His efforts were rewarded with his thirteenth goal of the seaon.
2 FRACTION A thirteenth is one of thirteen equal parts of something.
thir|ti|eth ◆◆◇ /θɜː r tiəθ/ ORD The thirtieth item in a series is the one that you count as number thirty. □ …her thirtieth birthday.
thir|ty ◆◆◆ /θɜː r ti/ (thirties )
1 NUM Thirty is the number 30. □ The building was built about thirty years ago.
2 N‑PLURAL When you talk about the thirties , you are referring to numbers between 30 and 39. For example, if you are in your thirties , you are aged between 30 and 39. If the temperature is in the thirties , the temperature is between 30 and 39 degrees.
3 N‑PLURAL The thirties is the decade between 1930 and 1939. □ She became quite a notable director in the thirties and forties.
this ◆◆◆ The determiner is pronounced /ð I s/. In other cases, this is pronounced /ð I s/. 1 DET You use this to refer back to a particular person or thing that has been mentioned or implied. □ Food should be left to stand. During this delay the centre carries on cooking. □ The U.S. suspended a proposed $574 million aid package. Of this amount, $250 million is for military purchases. ● PRON This is also a pronoun. □ I don't know how bad the injury is, because I have never had one like this before.
2 PRON You use this to introduce someone or something that you are going to talk about. □ This is what I will do. I will phone Anna and explain. ● DET This is also a determiner. □ This report is from David Cook of our Science Unit: 'Why did the dinosaurs become extinct?'
3 PRON You use this to refer back to an idea or situation expressed in a previous sentence or sentences. □ You feel that it's uneconomic to insist that people work together in groups. Why is this? ● DET This is also a determiner. □ There have been demands for action to put an end to this situation.
4 DET In spoken English, people use this to introduce a person or thing into a story. □ I came here by chance and was just watching what was going on, when this girl attacked me.
5 PRON You use this to refer to a person or thing that is near you, especially when you touch them or point to them. When there are two or more people or things near you, this refers to the nearest one. □ 'If you'd prefer something else I'll gladly have it changed for you.'—'No, this is great.' □ 'Is this what you were looking for?' Bradley produced the handkerchief. ● DET This is also a determiner. □ This church was built in the eleventh century.
6 PRON You use this when you refer to a general situation, activity, or event which is happening or has just happened and which you feel involved in. □ I thought, this is why I've travelled thousands of miles. □ Tim, this is awful. I know what you must think, but it's not so.
7 DET You use this when you refer to the place you are in now or to the present time. □ We've stopped transporting weapons to this country by train. □ I think coffee is probably the best thing at this point. ● PRON This is also a pronoun. □ This is the worst place I've come across.
8 DET You use this to refer to the next occurrence in the future of a particular day, month, season, or festival. □ We're getting married this June.
9 ADV [ADV adj] You use this when you are indicating the size or shape of something with your hands. □ They'd said the wound was only about this big you see and he showed me with his fingers.
10 ADV [ADV adv] You use this when you are going to specify how much you know or how much you can tell someone. □ I am not going to reveal my plan, but I will tell you this much: if it works out, the next few years will be very interesting.
11 CONVENTION If you say this is it , you are agreeing with what someone else has just said. [FORMULAE ] □ 'You know, people conveniently forget the things they say.'—'Well this is it.'
12 PRON You use this in order to say who you are or what organization you are representing, when you are speaking on the phone, radio, or television. □ Hello, this is John Thompson.
13 DET You use this to refer to the medium of communication that you are using at the time of speaking or writing. □ What I'm going to do in this lecture is focus on something very specific.
14 → see also these
15 PHRASE If you say that you are doing or talking about this and that , or this, that, and the other you mean that you are doing or talking about a variety of things that you do not want to specify. □ 'And what are you doing now?'—'Oh this and that.'
this|tle /θ I s ə l/ (thistles ) N‑COUNT A thistle is a wild plant which has leaves with sharp points and purple flowers.
thith|er /ð I ðə r /
1 ADV [ADV after v] Thither means to the place that has already been mentioned. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ They have dragged themselves thither for shelter.
2 hither and thither → see hither
tho' also tho Tho' and tho are very informal written forms of though .
thong /θɒ ŋ, [AM ] θɔː ŋ/ (thongs )
1 N‑COUNT A thong is a long thin strip of leather, plastic, or rubber.
2 N‑COUNT A thong is a narrow band of cloth that is worn between a person's legs to cover up his or her sexual organs, and that is held up by a piece of string around the waist.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Thongs are open shoes which are held on your foot by a V-shaped strap that goes between your big toe and the toe next to it. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use flip-flops
tho|rac|ic /θɔːræ s I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Thoracic means relating to or affecting your thorax. [MEDICAL ] □ …diseases of the thoracic area.
thor|ax /θɔː ræks/ (thoraxes or thoraces /θɔː rəsiːz/)
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your thorax is the part of your body between your neck and your waist. [MEDICAL ]
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] An insect's thorax is the central part of its body to which the legs and wings are attached. [TECHNICAL ]
thorn /θɔː r n/ (thorns )
1 N‑COUNT Thorns are the sharp points on some plants and trees, for example on a rose bush.
2 N‑VAR A thorn or a thorn bush or a thorn tree is a bush or tree which has a lot of thorns on it. □ …the shade of a thorn bush.
3 PHRASE If you describe someone or something as a thorn in your side or a thorn in your flesh , you mean that they are a continuous problem to you or annoy you. □ The Party was a thorn in the flesh of his coalition.
thorny /θɔː r ni/ (thornier , thorniest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A thorny plant or tree is covered with thorns. □ …thorny hawthorn trees.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a problem as thorny , you mean that it is very complicated and difficult to solve, and that people are often unwilling to discuss it. □ …the thorny issue of immigration policy.
thor|ough ◆◇◇ /θʌ rə, [AM ] θɜː roʊ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A thorough action or activity is one that is done very carefully and in a detailed way so that nothing is forgotten. □ We are making a thorough investigation. □ How thorough is the assessment? ● thor|ough|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Food that is being offered hot must be reheated thoroughly. ● thor|ough|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The thoroughness of the evaluation process we went through was impressive.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is thorough is always very careful in their work, so that nothing is forgotten. □ Martin would be a good judge, I thought. He was calm and thorough. ● thor|ough|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ His thoroughness and attention to detail is legendary.
3 ADJ Thorough is used to emphasize the great degree or extent of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ We regard the band as a thorough shambles. ● thor|ough|ly ADV [ADV before v, ADV adj] □ I thoroughly enjoy your programme. SYNONYMS thorough ADJ
1
comprehensive: The Rough Guide to Nepal is a comprehensive guide to the region.
full: We should conserve oil and gas by making full use of other energy sources.
complete: The rebels had taken complete control.
exhaustive: The author's treatment of the subject is exhaustive.
2
conscientious: We are generally very conscientious about our work.
painstaking: Forensic experts carried out a painstaking search of the debris.
meticulous: The painting had been executed with meticulous attention to detail.
thorough|bred /θʌ rəbred, [AM ] θɜː roʊ-/ (thoroughbreds )
1 N‑COUNT A thoroughbred is a horse that has parents that are of the same high quality breed.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A thoroughbred is a particular breed of racing horse. □ …a thoroughbred stallion.
thorough|fare /θʌ rəfeə r , [AM ] θɜː roʊ-/ (thoroughfares ) N‑COUNT A thoroughfare is a main road in a town or city which usually has shops along it and a lot of traffic. [FORMAL ] □ …a busy thoroughfare.
thorough|going /θʌ rəgoʊ I ŋ, [AM ] θɜː roʊ-/ also thorough-going
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use thoroughgoing to emphasize that someone or something is fully or completely the type of person or thing specified. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a thoroughgoing conservative. □ …readers who are unhappy with such thoroughgoing materialism.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a piece of work as thoroughgoing , you approve of it because it has been carefully and thoroughly put together. [APPROVAL ] □ …a thoroughgoing review of prison conditions.
those ◆◆◆ The determiner is pronounced /ðoʊz/. The pronoun is pronounced /ðoʊ z/. 1 DET You use those to refer to people or things which have already been mentioned. □ Theoretically he had control over more than $400 million in U.S. accounts. But, in fact, it was the U.S. Treasury and State Department who controlled those accounts. □ I was helped by people who cared and I shall never be able to thank those people enough. ● PRON Those is also a pronoun. □ I understand there are several projects going on. Could you tell us a bit about those?
2 DET You use those when you are referring to people or things that are a distance away from you in position or time, especially when you indicate or point to them. □ What are those buildings? □ Oh, those books! I meant to put them away before this afternoon. ● PRON Those is also a pronoun. □ Those are nice shoes. Where'd you get them?
3 DET You use those to refer to someone or something when you are going to give details or information about them. [FORMAL ] □ Those people who took up weapons to defend themselves are political prisoners.
4 PRON You use those to introduce more information about something already mentioned, instead of repeating the noun which refers to it. [FORMAL ] □ The interests he enjoys most are those which enable him to show off his talents.
5 PRON You use those to mean 'people'. □ A little selfish behaviour is unlikely to cause real damage to those around us.
6 DET You use those when you refer to things that you expect the person you are talking to to know about or when you are checking that you are both thinking of the same people or things. □ He did buy me those daffodils a week or so ago.
thou /ðaʊ/
1 PRON Thou is an old-fashioned, poetic, or religious word for 'you' when you are talking to only one person. It is used as the subject of a verb.
2 → see also holier-than-thou
though ◆◆◆ Pronounced /ðoʊ/ for meanings 1 and 2 , and /ðoʊ / for meanings 3 to 6 . 1 CONJ You use though to introduce a statement in a subordinate clause which contrasts with the statement in the main clause. You often use though to introduce a fact which you regard as less important than the fact in the main clause. □ The film was exactly how I had pictured it, though I think Gale should have had a bigger part. □ After this news Ford broke down again, though he blamed the breakdown on his work.
2 CONJ You use though to introduce a subordinate clause which gives some information that is relevant to the main clause and weakens the force of what it is saying. □ I look back on it as the bloodiest (though not literally) winter of the war.
3 ADV You use though to indicate that the information in a clause contrasts with or modifies information given in a previous sentence or sentences. □ I like him. Though he makes me angry sometimes.
4 PHRASE You can say though I say so myself or even though I say it myself when you are praising yourself or something you have done, but do not want to sound too proud. [mainly SPOKEN ] □ I'm a good cook, though I say it myself.
5 as though → see as ➋
6 even though → see even ➊
thought ◆◆◆ /θɔː t/ (thoughts )
1 Thought is the past tense and past participle of think .
2 N‑COUNT [N that] A thought is an idea that you have in your mind. □ [+ of ] The thought of Nick made her throat tighten. □ He pushed the thought from his mind. □ I've just had a thought.
3 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] A person's thoughts are their mind, or all the ideas in their mind when they are concentrating on one particular thing. □ I jumped to my feet so my thoughts wouldn't start to wander. □ If he wasn't there physically, he was always in her thoughts.
4 N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] A person's thoughts are their opinions on a particular subject. □ [+ on ] Many of you have written to us to express your thoughts on the conflict. □ [+ on ] Mr Goodman, do you have any thoughts on that? [Also + about ]
5 N‑UNCOUNT Thought is the activity of thinking, especially deeply, carefully, or logically. □ Alice had been so deep in thought that she had walked past her car without even seeing it. □ He had given some thought to what she had told him.
6 N‑COUNT A thought is an intention, hope, or reason for doing something. □ Sarah's first thought was to run back and get Max. □ [+ of ] They had no thought of surrender.
7 N‑SING [oft adj N ] A thought is an act of kindness or an offer of help; used especially when you are thanking someone, or expressing admiration of someone. □ 'Would you like to move into the ward?'—'A kind thought, but no, thank you.'
8 N‑UNCOUNT Thought is the group of ideas and beliefs which belongs, for example, to a particular religion, philosophy, science, or political party. □ Aristotle's scientific theories dominated Western thought for fifteen hundred years.
9 → see also second thought
thought|ful /θɔː tfʊl/
1 ADJ If you are thoughtful , you are quiet and serious because you are thinking about something. □ Nancy, who had been thoughtful for some time, suddenly spoke. ● thought|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Daniel nodded thoughtfully.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as thoughtful , you approve of them because they remember what other people want, need, or feel, and try not to upset them. [APPROVAL ] □ …a thoughtful and caring man. □ [+ of ] Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you. ● thought|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …the bouquet of flowers he had thoughtfully purchased for the celebrations. ● thought|ful|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
3 ADJ If you describe something such as a book, film, or speech as thoughtful , you mean that it is serious and well thought out. □ …a thoughtful and scholarly book. ● thought|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …these thoughtfully designed machines.
thought|less /θɔː tləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as thoughtless , you are critical of them because they forget or ignore other people's wants, needs, or feelings. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] It was thoughtless of her to mention it. ● thought|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They thoughtlessly planned a picnic without him.
thou ght-provo king ADJ If something such as a book or a film is thought-provoking , it contains interesting ideas that make people think seriously. □ This is an entertaining yet thought-provoking film.
thou|sand ◆◆◆ /θaʊ z ə nd/ (thousands ) The plural form is thousand after a number, or after a word or expression referring to a number, such as 'several' or 'a few'. 1 NUM A thousand or one thousand is the number 1,000. □ …five thousand acres. □ Visitors can expect to pay about a thousand pounds a day.
2 QUANT If you refer to thousands of things or people, you are emphasizing that there are very many of them. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] Thousands of refugees are packed into over-crowded towns and villages. ● PRON You can also use thousands as a pronoun. □ Hundreds have been killed in the fighting and thousands made homeless.
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